Eddie Hearn: ‘Matchroom could do some sensational things with Ben Whittaker’

BIRMINGHAM, England – Eddie Hearn has revealed he had some “interesting conversations” with Ben Whittaker on Saturday night.

Whittaker attended his fellow Tokyo 2020 Olympian Galal Yafai’s defeat to Francisco Rodriguez at Birmingham’s BP pulse LIVE. There, he was pictured sitting next to Hearn, the promoter of the event, and it seemed as though the pair had a lot to say to each other.

Whittaker finds himself in a strange contractual situation at present, with his promoter Ben Shalom’s Boxxer deal with Sky Sports coming to an end. It is reported that Boxxer’s major stars, including Whittaker, have a contract directly with Sky Sports.

Hearn, who has always been an admirer of Whittaker, missed out on signing the Olympic silver medalist back in 2021 when he turned professional. The promoter was asked after the event in Birmingham if a move to Matchroom had been discussed with Whittaker? 

“A lot of interesting conversations but, you know, as I understand it, he's under contract and we wouldn't interfere with that situation,” Hearn said. “If he ever becomes available, honestly, I think we could do some sensational things with Ben Whittaker… but until that time comes … so no conversations.”