Ben Whittaker: ‘I’m not far off fighting Artur Beterbiev or Dmitry Bivol’

Light-heavyweight prospect Ben Whittaker believes he is not far from facing Artur Beterbiev or Dmitry Bivol for a world championship.

Whittaker has taken to the professional ranks impressively and has quickly become one of the hottest prospects not only in the 175lbs . “The Surgeon” has dazzled with his impressive skills and will get the chance to show them off on Saturday on the undercard of the undisputed Beterbiev-Bivol fight in Saudi Arabia.

Beterbiev and Bivol have been by far the two standout light heavyweights of their generation and victory on Saturday will not only decide the best of their era, but will also crown the first undisputed 175-pound champion since Roy Jones Jr. in 1999.

The opportunity to fight on the undercard of the two best light heavyweights for some would be a huge occasion, but Whittaker insists he will be treating it just like another fight.

“I’m not going to stand here and say I’m super excited, for me it’s just another fight, another show,” Whittaker told BoxingScene. “I think if you start overthinking it, start making it bigger than it is. For me it’s another fight and luckily enough from my amateur career I’ve been all around the world. For me, I’m packing my bags just like that and I’m going to the ring just like that.”

Whittaker, 27, will have the chance to watch both of the best fighters in his division up close after his victory. However, this is an opportunity that Whittaker may not make the most of.

“Yeah well, Beterbiev walked past, and I was like, ‘Oh he’s not that big,’ I thought he was this big, massive monster,” he said. “But, yeah, it’ll be good [to watch them up close]. I might lie to you and say I’m going to watch it, but truthfully after every fight I like to go home, eat and play my PlayStation. So, I’ll be bringing my PlayStation out to Riyadh and I’ll probably do the same there.”

Whittaker has gone through previous opposition like a knife through butter, and many expect him to go on to win world championships. Whittaker believes that a title shot is not too far away and would be happy to fight either Beterbiev or Bivol—if they’re still holding the belts.

“I’m not far at all really [from fighting Beterbiev and Bivol],” Whittaker said. “But then when you look, I’m 27, Beterbiev is 40, so for me I’ve got a lot in this game. By the time I’m 30, I want to be a world champion. So if they’re there then, if they’re not, whoever it will be. That’s why I want to be a world champion.”

Whittaker was then asked for his prediction for the main event between Beterbiev and Bivol.

“I don’t have a clue what’s happening man, I don’t really know because if you asked me to break down AJ-Dubois, it wouldn’t have gone like that. But for me it’ll either be cagey at the start or they’ll just start swinging.

“I’ve said for the whole build-up, Beterbiev, but now I’ve been looking into it a bit more, I’ve swayed to Bivol. His distance control, his output, he’s a younger fighter too, he hasn’t had any injuries. So, for me I’d edge towards more Bivol, but it’s a great fight for all the belts, it’s not happened for a good while now at this weight and I’m excited.”