Ben Whittaker's path to the top: When could British star become light-heavyweight world champion?

Ben Whittaker kicks off a new era this weekend as the Tokyo 2020 star takes on Benjamin Gavazi in his Matchroom debut live on DAZN.

The 28-year-old bids to extend his unbeaten professional record against the German on relative home turf at Birmingham's bp pulse LIVE.

Since turning pro after an amateur career capped by silver-medal success in Japan, plenty have tipped Whittaker to contend for big prizes.

His draw with Liam Cameron last year seemed to check his momentum, but a two-round rout in the rematch has got him back on track.

So how long might it take for him to reach the promised land? DAZN News studies the route map for a Whittaker world championship bid.

How many fights will Whittaker need to win a world title?

Ten fights into his career, Whittaker is starting to reach the stage of his professional tenure where he will need to step in with bigger foes.

Before his first bout with Cameron, the star had took apart every opponent in the ring thus far, but seemed a little stunned on the night.

Fight number eleven here places another tough opponent in his path, but if he wins, the star will surely hope that it tees up a major 2026.

Likewise however, with the light-heavyweight division currently dominated by a flux of contenders, the chances will surely come for him.

In all likelihood, Whittaker is - at a minimum - six fights away from a world title. But boxing is a sport that works in mysterious ways too.

What division will Whittaker seek to win a world title in?

There's only one place Whittaker is going to chase gold in the next few years and that's at the division he operates in - light heavyweight.

The star enjoyed amateur success at this weight and has kept up a steady pursuit of glory at the professional level in the same class too.

But few divisions are as crowded as this one right now, with Dmitry Bivol holding three of the four major belts and David Benavidez the other.

Throw in Artur Beterbiev - albeit closer to the end of his career than the start - and a slew of domestic contenders at world level, and it's busy.

Whittaker will fancy his chances, of course, particularly with his self-conviction - but he will have to seize every opportunity that comes his way.

What is Whittaker's path to a world title shot in 2026? 

With no disrespect to Whittaker, there is unlikely to be a path to a world title shot in 2026 unless Matchroom pull off an absolute blinder bout.

Instead, he will need to spend the year building his way up the light-heavyweight ranks and taking out rivals who stand in his way to the summit.

Currently ranked with three of the sport's four major bodies - the WBA, WBC and WBO - finding an opponent won't be the difficult part for the star.

It will be building up a resume that ensures people like Bivol, Benavidez and Beterbiev cannot ignore him at the very top, to be knocking on the door.

Another domestic dust-up must be on the agenda for the star, possibly with a Zach Parker or a Willy Hutchinson or an Ezra Taylor, depending on results.

Alternatively, if he is able to set his sights higher, Anthony Yarde or Joshua Buatsi could offer a major carrot - and a true return on his form and potential.

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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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