New Matchroom signing thanks boxing for changing his life

Ben Whittaker thinks his life could have been very different if he didn’t get into boxing.

The 28-year-old from West Bromwich makes his Matchroom debut when he takes on Benjamin Gavazi in Birmingham, live on DAZN on Saturday.

Whittaker produced a career-best performance when stopping Liam Cameron in two rounds in their rematch earlier this year and his future looks bright following that impressive first performance under new coach Andy Lee.

Speaking to “Spotlight”, a new DAZN series that showcases up-and-coming boxing talent on their way to becoming the new generation of world champions, Whittaker reflects on how boxing changed the course of his life.

“Since [I was] a kid, I grew up with ADHD so I was bouncing off the walls – getting into trouble, into mischief,” said Whittaker.

“My Dad took me down to the boxing gym to get some discipline. Not to actually fight, just to burn off that energy.

“I signed up and the rest is history.”

While boxing has been the making of him, he confessed it wasn’t love at first sight and he took his time to get fully into the sport.

He added: “The first time I actually went to the boxing gym, I didn’t really like it.

“I grew up in a house that is nice and clean, so a dirty gym with blood and this and that - I didn’t like it at all.

“But it’s where I excelled. As soon as I got in the ring and sparred, I had something about me.

“My Dad saw it, my coach saw it, and I thought if I am good at it, I might as well keep trying.”

Whittaker admits his professional journey has been a frustrating one so far but points to the switch in stables being the turning point for him.

With a new promoter and a new coach, he now feels he is ready to push on and fulfil his undoubted potential.

“I’ve had setbacks, injuries, good performances, not the best performances, so for me it has been a bit annoying because I know what I can do under the lights.

“Hopefully, now I have joined DAZN and Matchroom, I can show how good I really am.”

Find out more about Whittaker in DAZN’s latest episode of Spotlight. Watch here.

Watch Whittaker vs. Gavazi with a DAZN subscription

Ben Whittaker makes his Matchroom debut against Benjamin Gavazi exclusively on DAZN. Watch with a subscription, monthly and annual options available.

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