Error code: %{errorCode}
Road to Birmingham: How has Ben Whittaker come to Matchroom debut against Benjamin Gavazi?
Ben Whittaker makes his Matchroom debut this weekend as the former Tokyo 2020 favourite bids to extend his unbeaten professional record at bp pulse LIVE, live on DAZN.
The Wolverhampton star is on West Midlands home turf in Birmingham as he faces Benjamin Gavazi for his second bout this year, following a rematch with Liam Cameron.
Whittaker needed only two rounds to make amends, but would love another statement win against the wily German as he seeks to further build his reputation in the ring.
But just how did he and his opponent come to this clash? DAZN News looks at the last five fights of each fighter and profiles what has guided them to this latest opportunity.
Ben Whittaker (9-0-1)
- Age : 28
- Fights : 10
- Last five : WDWWW
Silver four years ago in Japan left one of Britain's newest Olympic Games stars visibly frustrated at coming second, and many have backed him to go one step further as a pro.
But Whittaker's relatively routine ascent through eight bouts hit a snag in October last year when he fought abroad in Riyadh against the unfancied Liam Cameron and drew.
The pair famously tumbled through the ropes halfway through their contest, but the former made amends in a hotly anticipated rematch back April with a two-round TKO victory.
Since then, the star has signed with Matchroom, and now comes up against Gavazi in a bout designed to help further build his stock as he pushes towards higher world rankings.
Benjamin Gavazi (19-1)
- Age : 30
- Fights : 20
- Last five : WWWWW
It's strange for a fighter to lose their pro debut and then carve out an unbeaten streak well into the double digits - but that's what the impressive German has done since then.
A defeat to Rostam Ibrahim in November 2018 has been followed by more than a dozen-and-a-half victories since then, helping to build a sturdy reputation on domestic turf.
A March 2021 triumph over Vasilij Sarbayev earned him the German light heavyweight title, and a victory over Branimir Malenica last December further burnished his stock.
Now, he heads to the United Kingdom seeking to score a major upset - and will be full of confidence that he can deliver a shock in the back yard of his opponent this weekend.
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.
