‘Loop of negativity’ – Ben Whittaker gives full explanation for promoter split ahead of debut with Eddie Hearn

Ben Whittaker is beginning a new chapter of his career after leaving Ben Shalom’s BOXXER.

Whittaker is gearing up to fight Benjamin Gavazi on November 29 in his debut appearance as one of the Matchroom clan.

Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing

‘The Surgeon’ signed a new long-term partnership with Eddie Hearn‘s Matchroom Boxing after his contract with BOXXER ended earlier this year.

After turning professional under the wing of Shalom’s promotion in 2022, Whittaker revealed that it was simply a case of progressing his career.

During an interview with talkSPORT.com, Whittaker has since explained one of the main reasons why he opted to jump ship.

He said: “I gave [Ben Shalom] a lot of opportunities.

“I’d say the main thing was activity. I think I could have probably only got two fights with him a year.

“You probably want that when you’re at the back end of your career, where now it’s just more activity.

“I’m fighting for a good belt this weekend, WBC silver l[light-heavyweight title] and I couldn’t get those type of belts [with BOXXER].

“So for me, it’s all about positioning myself in a career now where I can fight for world titles.”

The last time we saw him in action, Whittaker scored a second-round knockout in his rematch with Liam Cameron.

After their first clash in 2024 ended in a controversial draw, Whittaker put an end to their rivalry in sensational fashion.

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But a new stage of his career begins in Birmingham this weekend,

The 28-year-old’s issue with a lack of activity looks set to be solved, as the plan is for him to fight at least four times in 2026, before pushing for world titles in 2027.

Ben Whittaker’s activity up to now

The 28-year-old has certainly been causing a stir on the boxing scene across the last three years.

After just 10 outings, his eccentric persona has already garnered him a huge following on social media.

Although he often faces scrutiny for his boisterous behaviour and fans are divided on whether they love or hate him.

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Despite that, Whittaker insists that he isn’t fazed by the criticism he faces for his showboating in the ring.

Although he did admit that sometimes the positive aspects of his 9-0-1 career can be overshadowed by people’s bad opinion of him.

Whittaker continued: “For me, it’s little things. People like you, people don’t. It’s entertainment.

“When I was at Sky Sports, they would put certain people on the panel list and they know they’re going to make you look bad.

“So then that goes to the armchair fan. Little things like that, it was like a big loop of negativity. Where I’m sure Matchroom won’t allow that to happen.

“But if they do, they’ll come back with their own facts. But for me, you can’t really please everybody.

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“As long as I go out there win, perform, and my family are happy.”