Ben Whittaker could possibly be on a collision course with Joshua Buatsi as he sharpens his abilities for a world title combat.
EThe unbeaten British contender makes his US debut in opposition to Richard Rivera on the Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis invoice in New York within the early hours of Sunday morning.
Promoter Eddie Hearn believes Whittaker is ‘three fights’ away from difficult the light-heavyweight world title holders, and a giant home conflict in opposition to fellow Englishman Buatsi or Scotland’s Willy Hutchinson may occur later this yr.
Ben Whittaker offered some extravagant showboating in his dominant victory over Ezra Arenyeka.
“I feel me and Buatsi are form of shut,” Whittaker instructed Sky Sports activities. “I feel we’re two and three within the WBC [rankings], so one thing like that would occur.
“And Willy, I’ve overwhelmed him earlier than within the amateurs, so it would be good to get one other win over him within the execs.
“However for me, it is whoever’s subsequent, whoever is sensible, whoever’s going to get me to the place I have to get to.”
Dmitry Bivol, the WBA, WBO and IBF champion, returned with a factors win over Michael Eifert final month, whereas WBC belt holder David Benavidez stepped as much as cruiserweight to defeat Gilberto Ramirez in a current world title combat.
“Whoever’s received probably the most belts and whoever’s received probably the most cash,” mentioned Whittaker when requested to select a world champion he may face.
“However as of now, Benavidez has gone as much as cruiserweight, so when you needed to say somebody, Bivol, in fact, he is received probably the most belts as nicely. However I feel the combat that may make some huge cash – the best way it is going – is me versus Benavidez.”
Zak Chelli insists he doesn’t view Ben Whittaker as his ‘competitors’ and claims he dropped the Olympic silver medallist throughout a previous sparring session
Outlining the plan for Whittaker, Hearn instructed Sky Sports activities: “Towards these guys, most likely one other three fights. They’re the elite of the elite, and while you combat them, you have to be prepared.
“So we have got Saturday night time, and Whittaker will headline in October in opposition to a giant home title, after which yet another, after which he’ll be prepared for anyone within the division.”
One fighter who Whittaker is not going to be pursuing is Londoner Zak Chelli, who has claimed that he floored him in a previous sparring session.
“All of them name me out, all of them name me out, however all I’ll say is, once we have been youngsters, who received picked for the Commonwealth [Games]? Your man, himself,” mentioned Whittaker.
Hearn (proper) says Whittaker (left) is ‘three fights’ away from difficult the light-heavyweight world title holders
“Who received picked for Workforce GB over him? Your man, himself. Who went to the Olympics over me or him? Your man, himself. So, all I received to say is, outcomes do not lie, child.
“They usually’re all calling me out, however he form of is aware of his place.”
Might Josh Kelly be subsequent for Jaron Ennis?
In the principle occasion, Hearn has urged Ennis to provide a dominant win over Zayas that would pave the best way for a world title unification conflict in opposition to IBF super-welterweight champion Josh Kelly.
“If he wins this combat on Saturday and turns into unified world champion, there are two different belt holders, Josh Kelly and Sebastian Fundora,” Hearn mentioned. “He’ll wish to chase these fights.
“He’ll [Ennis] try to be undisputed. Then he’ll transfer to 160 [lbs]. Then I feel he’ll transfer to 168[lbs]. So, yeah, I am actually excited to see him triumph.”
Watch MVPW-06 in Birmingham, headlined by Mikaela Mayer v Chantelle Cameron and with Caroline Dubois additionally in motion, reside on August 29 on Sky Sports activities. Get Sky Sports activities or stream boxing with no contract.
