'Win in style' - Black Country boxing hero urged to take New York by storm

Ben Whittaker has been urged to make the USA stand up and take note when he makes his Stateside debut on Saturday night.

The Black Country boxing ace faces Richard Rivera at the Barclays Center in New York, targeting the win which would potentially move him to within two fights of a world title shot.

Promoter Eddie Hearn has branded the bout the toughest of Whittaker’s career to date but warned the 28-year-old light heavyweight must win “in style” with even bigger tests on the horizon.

Hearn is planning for Whittaker to headline a big show in Birmingham in October, with the aim of landing a big-name domestic opponent in a final eliminator for a world title.

It means there is plenty riding on the clash with Rivera and Hearn said: “This is the toughest fight of his career, I think. But it is still nowhere near the level where he will get to.

“Even where he is now, you have to win in style.

“I don’t want to put pressure on someone but this is life. If you go out there and it is a bit boring and you struggle, when you are exuberant and a character, everyone is going to try and knock you down.

“If you do the reverse the haters will still hate but everyone will be talking about you.

“If you go out and make America go “wow” then it is mega. We don’t want to just win OK, we want to win in fantastic fashion.”

Darlaston’s Whittaker has won each of his last two fights inside the opening round, following a switch from Boxxer to Hearn’s Matchroom Promotions.

The Tokyo 2020 silver medallist’s pro career has been something of a slow burn with Saturday’s bout just his 13th in four years.

Hearn is eager for him to move up quickly and name-checked Anthony Yarde, Lyndon Arthur and Willie Hutchinson among potential opponents for the Birmingham show.

“That is what we need. We need a guy who is going to be a big headline fight in Birmingham,” said Hearn.

“But also at this point now we are turning the screw in terms of setting ourselves up for fighting for the world championship.

“We know exactly where we are going with Ben. It was a bit slow at first but now we are flying. Get this won on Saturday and it is a big fight in October for Ben Whittaker.”

Whittaker came face-to-face with Rivera, who has won 27 out his 29 career bouts, during an open workout session at Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn on Tuesday.

“This is a big moment for Ben and us in this partnership,” said Hearn.