Ben Whittaker Returns to the Ring in Crucial Birmingham Bout
Olympic silver medalist Ben Whittaker steps back into the spotlight tonight for his first fight under the Matchroom banner, facing Germany's Benjamin Gavazi in a pivotal light-heavyweight clash. The event, held at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre, marks a significant moment for the divisive British fighter as he aims to rebuild momentum after a stalled year.
Fight Schedule and Broadcasting Details
The main card for this evening's event is scheduled to begin at 7pm GMT on Saturday 29 November. Fight fans can expect the main-event ring walks for Whittaker vs Gavazi to take place at approximately 9.30pm GMT.
The action will be broadcast live and exclusively on DAZN in the UK, US, and most countries worldwide. Subscription plans for the sports streaming service start from £14.99 per month.
Fighters' Records and Background
Whittaker enters the bout with an impressive 9-0-1 professional record, having secured six victories by knockout. The 28-year-old from Birmingham also brings considerable amateur pedigree as an Olympic silver medalist from the 2021 Games.
His opponent, Benjamin Gavazi, presents a formidable challenge with a record of 19-1, including 13 knockouts. The 30-year-old German will be determined to upset the hometown favourite in what represents Whittaker's most significant test since his promotional move.
Road to Recovery and Matchroom Debut
Whittaker's professional career faced a substantial setback last October when an unfortunate incident saw both he and opponent Liam Cameron tumble over the ropes. The resulting injury to Whittaker forced the fight to be abandoned and declared a technical draw, severely hampering his progression.
Although he bounced back with a second-round stoppage of Cameron in April, his future remained uncertain until October, when he secured a promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing under Eddie Hearn. Tonight's contest represents his first appearance since signing with the prominent promotion company.
Betting Odds and Full Fight Card
According to BetFred, Whittaker enters as the overwhelming favourite at 1/18, while Gavazi stands at 10/1. The odds for a draw are priced at 20/1.
The full fight card, subject to change, features several notable matchups:
- Ben Whittaker vs Benjamin Gavazi (light-heavyweight)
- Cameron Vuong vs Gavin Gwynne (lightweight)
- Molly McCann vs Ebonie Cotton (women's super-bantamweight)
- Aaron Bowen vs Tom Cowling (middleweight)
- Zelfa Barrett vs Liam Dillon (lightweight)
- Ibraheem Sulaimaan vs Nico Ogbeide (super-featherweight)
- Alfie Middlemiss vs TBA (featherweight)
Of particular interest to British fight fans is the inclusion of former UFC star Molly McCann, who continues her boxing venture after retiring from mixed martial arts earlier this year.
With hometown advantage and a point to prove following his injury disruption, all eyes will be on Ben Whittaker as he looks to make a statement in his Matchroom debut and reestablish himself as one of British boxing's most promising talents.
