'Absolute stardust' – Ben Whittaker set to headline in USA with path mapped out to all-British showdowns

04/09/2024 16:59

British star Ben Whittaker is set to make his US debut next year.

‘The Surgeon’ is seemingly poised to become British boxing’s next big superstar.

His flamboyant showboating and brash personality have led to him becoming one of the most divisive characters in the sport.

Earlier this year, the 27-year-old went viral for dancing, dropping his hands and utterly embarrassing French journeyman Khalid Graidia, before closing the show with a vicious flurry.

His last two fights against surging prospects Leon Willings and Eworitse Ezra Arenyeka have been more competitive, although it is clear Whittaker is ready to take the next step up in competition.

On October 12, Whittaker is scheduled to do just that as he squares off against former Commonwealth champion Liam Cameron in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

According to his promoter Ben Shalom, a win there will open doors to some massive domestic dust-ups and a US headliner slot.

“When will he fight Dan Azeez, when will he fight Lyndon Arthur? When it makes sense,” Shalom told talkSPORT’s talkBOXING podcast.

“But I would like at that British, European level towards the end of next year and I think that’s incredibly fast for a talent like him.

“For us, we know we are sat on absolute stardust and someone that British boxing needs.

“He is going to headline in the US in December and I expect it to go absolutely crazy.

“On NBC Linear in front of a two million audience. He will headline his own show.”

The Olympic silver medallist is still in the fledgling stages of his professional career, with only fights (8-0) to his name.

But Shalom anticipates that Whittaker will be fighting for a world title in the not-so-distant future.

“Eighteen months to two years,” Shalom added when asked when he envisages Whittaker to be fighting for light-heavyweight gold.

“And hopefully by then, he is genuinely the biggest name in boxing, that is our job.”

Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev are set to duke it out next month for all four major sanctioning body belts at 175lbs.

Whittaker’s next fight against Cameron will take place on the undercard and the Brit will no doubt be keeping an eye on the result.