Ben Whittaker's next opponent revealed as Darlaston ace steps up to headline show

Ben Whittaker will face Argentina’s dangerous Braian Suarez when he makes his return to the ring later this month.

Darlaston’s boxing hero will headline at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena on Saturday, April 18, following the postponement of the main event between Callum Smith and David Morrell.

The pair had been due to clash for the WBO interim light heavyweight championship but Smith suffered an injury in training.

That has seen Whittaker, originally on the undercard, step up to headline as he looks to continue the momentum of knockout performances in his last two fights.

The 28-year-old light-heavyweight stopped Benjamin Gavazi in the first round last November, after a second round win over Liam Cameron a year ago.

Whittaker, silver medallist at Toyko 2020, had been expected to make his debut in the USA earlier this year but that bout has now been put back to the summer.

He said: “Performing in front of the Scousers, who are a set of true fight fans, for the first time is going to be special.

“I’m really looking forward to headlining in Liverpool. I know everyone was expecting me to be fighting next in America – and that’s still very much the plan.

“I need to win this and we’ll be making a big announcement on that soon.

“But it is important for me to stay active as a fighter. So I am delighted to be able to jump on this great Liverpool card to keep myself ticking over.”

Suarez will not make it easy for the Midlands man. The 34-year-old has claimed 20 of his 21 career wins by knockout and sent Lyndon Arthur to the canvas before eventually losing on his previous visit to the UK in 2023.

Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn said: “Naturally, it is a massive blow to lose a mega fight so close to the event and we wish Callum a speedy recovery.

“But the show goes on – and it remains an unmissable night of boxing, headlined by arguably one of the greatest showmen in the sport today in Ben Whittaker. He is box office in whatever city in the world he is fighting in.

“Of course, the carrot of his eventual big US debut is dangling. Ben will be out to show once again why he will be the future of this sport as the eventual ruler of the 175lbs division.

“It will be a solid test for him against Braian Suarez, who is a dangerous, heavy-hitting opponent.”