Ben Whittaker offered mouth-watering rematch by last boxer to defeat him

Arlen Lopez has unfinished business with Ben Whittaker.

The Cuban technician is the last man to have beaten Whittaker in the amateurs and is hoping to renew their hostilities as professionals.

Marc Aspland - The Times

Lopez bested Whittaker via split decision in the final of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games to become a double gold medalist and has since alternated between the unpaid and paid ranks.

The 32-year-old boasts an unblemished 6-0 pro record, while continuing to compete at major amateur tournaments.

On Friday, Lopez progressed to the second round of the IBA World Championships in Doha with a points win over Turkey’s Bayram Malkan,

And in the immediate aftermath, he was quizzed about a potential sequel with Whittaker.

“He [Whittaker] was one of those really talented amateur fighters who is now a talented professional,” said Lopez.

“He’s really well-placed as a professional. He’s making great strides.

“We got the chance to face him in the Olympic final. We became friends outside of the ring.

“We chat and look out for each other’s fights, given I’m a professional now, too.

“I wish him all the best, every success in his
professional career.”

Whittaker turned over as a professional after a tear-jerking defeat to Lopez.

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‘The Surgeon’ extended his professional record to 10-0-1 last month with a one-round blowout of unheralded German Benjamin Gavazi in his first fight under Eddie Hearn‘s Matchroom Boxing banner.

He is now expected to return to the ring in March across the pond before a big British headliner in the summer.

Regardless of how the opportunity presents itslef, Lopez will be waiting in the wings.

“Not the Olympics this time, but I know we’ll meet on a new stage,”
added Lopez.

“We’ll show that quality we showed that day at the Olympics, and we’ll show that amateur boxing has just as much quality and maybe even more than professional boxing.

“As it’s over three rounds, you condense everything into a short space of time.

“Professional boxing is different. You have 10 or 12 rounds to have a
long-term plan.

“So just give him his big chance. Congratulations, and we’ll keep
following your fights, champ!”