Ben Whittaker returns to the ring tomorrow night, but the light-heavyweight star’s matchup will be fought at a catchweight.
It’s been a frustrating start to 2026 for Ben Whittaker (10-0-1, 7ko’s).
The man from Wolverhampton was in line to co-main event a proposed mega fight between Jaron Ennis and Vergil Ortiz Jr in the States.
However, as we all know that fell through, so Matchroom had to manoeuvre.
Subsequently, he was added to the Callum Smith vs David Morrell card.
Eddie Hearn has promised to give ‘The Surgeon’ activity in 2026.
With Callum Smith pulling out of his fight with a hand injury, Whittaker now headlines in Liverpool.
His opponent goes by the name of Braian Suarez (21-4, 20ko’s).
Should Whittaker get through the Argentinian on Saturday night, there are bigger and better plans in the pipeline.
An American debut for Whittaker on the Xander Zayas-Jaron Ennis undercard is in the works Eddie Hearn has confirmed, before a step up headline event in Birmingham.
Matchroom and team Whittaker are confident his world class pedigree will see him become a world champion at light-heavyweight.
However, his contest tomorrow against Suarez will not be fought at light-heavyweight.
Both fighters weighed in at 182.1 lbs in today’s official weigh in, 7lbs over the light-heavyweight, so why is this?
At 6ft 3, the Surgeon is one of the larger frames at light heavy.
Whilst there are no concerns over Whittaker making the weight in future, as there is no title on the line in this fight, it is simply unnecessary to put the body through a weight cut with bigger plans in the pipeline.
The Olympic silver medallist has made his championship fight weight in his last four fights.
Suarez brings a front-footed aggressive style with punch power in both hands.
Argentinian born, Suarez had fellow Brit Lyndon Arthur in all sorts of trouble in 2023.
However, this aggressive style may be tailormade for Whittaker who is punching very hard under the stewardship of Andy Lee.
Could we see another viral highlight reel knockout, similar to the Benjamin Gavazi 1st round knockout last November.
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