Ben Whittaker is ready to unleash his brand of British brawn in Brooklyn this Saturday, taking on Richard Rivera in the city that never sleeps. The Darlaston-born light-heavyweight's US debut has been a long time coming, fuelled by an insatiable hunger for the American boxing scene. And what ignited that flame? Two childhood passions: Floyd Mayweather's electrifying fights and the hilarious hijinks of 'Everybody Hates Chris'.
Whittaker will be part of the Barclays Center action, supporting Xander Zayas in his super-welterweight title defence against Jaron Ennis. Those early morning wake-up calls to watch Mayweather's classics, including that 2007 showdown with Oscar de la Hoya, left an indelible mark on Whittaker. He confessed, "I thought, 'This is crazy! I want to be a part of something like this.'" And now, he's finally getting his chance, with Brooklyn marking the first step towards fighting in Las Vegas – the Mecca of boxing.
New York and Brooklyn hold a special place in Whittaker's heart, thanks to his love for 'Everybody Hates Chris'. He revealed that the sitcom is more than just a TV show – it's a connection to the city. "If New York means anything to me," he said with conviction, "it's Everybody Hates Chris." The city's vibrant music and fashion scene also resonate deeply with Whittaker, who has visited multiple times and feels an undeniable bond.
Whittaker's confident demeanour and flamboyant style have sometimes divided British boxing fans. However, he believes his unique blend of skill, entertainment, and genuine fight will win over the hearts of American spectators. With a whopping eight of his 11 wins coming by way of knockout, earning him the nickname 'The Surgeon', Whittaker is confident in his ability to dismantle opponents.
Despite winning silver at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Whittaker's professional journey has been slower-paced than some might have expected. This Saturday marks only his 13th professional bout, attributed to a combination of injuries, promotional challenges, and that contentious draw against Liam Cameron. Rivera, however, boasts an impressive record of 27 wins from 29 fights, yet remains untested at the top level. Whittaker remains content with his progress, citing his high rankings in the IBF and WBC as evidence of his strong position – despite the relatively low number of fights.
With each bout, he's treating as a world title opportunity, Whittaker is determined to continue rising through the ranks. The stage is set for an electrifying encounter between these two boxers in Brooklyn this Saturday.