Eddie Hearn talks of potential adversary for Ben Whittaker.
Set to make his American debut on the Jaron Ennis vs. Xander Zayas undercard next month, Ben Whittaker will seek to boost his profile on the biggest of stages.
On that night, the flashy Briton will be taking on Richard Rivera, a curious product of the United States who fights under the nickname “Popeye the Sailor Man”.
The boxing world at large was introduced to Rivera when he appeared on the Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2 undercard, losing a controversial decision to Badou Jack.
And while Whittaker will be going into a career-toughest challenge in that bout, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn is already looking ahead for who he believes is a superstar in the making.
Specifically, Hearn was asked about the possibility of a fight with Zak Chelli, who sensationally upset David Morrell on the Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois undercard a bit over a week ago.
When quizzed on whether or not that was a fight that had interested him, Hearn replied, “It wasn’t, but I guess you have to put Zak in the mix for all those fights. He’s done brilliantly well, and he’s going to want big fights.
“I think it’ll be interesting to deal with Zak and the old man [Zak Chelli Sr.], who’s a great character, as well. And they’ll probably want about 10 million quid, but he’s earned his right to be in a big fight next.”
Chelli was seen as a tick-over for Morrell, who was scheduled to face Callum Smith last month. When Smith pulled out, Morrell lost his place in the main event, and it was Whittaker instead who headlined in Liverpool, demolishing Argentinian puncher Braian Nahuel Suarez.
Morrell had called for Whittaker to face him at the top of the bill instead of Suarez, but with Morrell’s recent loss, a fight with Chelli now looks the much more intriguing option.
That is certainly a potential option for the future. However, Whittaker must first make the right impression over in the United States. Do that, and the possibilities for him will only grow.
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