British light heavyweight Ben Whittaker remains hopeful for a future fight against David Benavidez despite Benavidez moving up to cruiserweight, even as Whittaker prepares for an IBF title eliminator against Conor Wallace in Birmingham this weekend.
Ben Whittaker has not abandoned the prospect of squaring off against David Benavidez, even after the Mexican-American star shifted away from the 175-pound division. The British fighter previously called out Benavidez when both competed at light heavyweight, and that mutual interest has lingered despite a widening gap in their weight classes.
Whittaker Faces Conor Wallace in Birmingham Eliminator
The 29-year-old Whittaker carries a 12-0-1 record with nine knockouts into his Saturday bout at Birmingham, England’s BP Pulse LIVE. He will face Ireland’s Conor Wallace in a final eliminator for the IBF light-heavyweight title.
A victory would place the British star within touching distance of a world title shot at 175 pounds. Whittaker has built substantial momentum through a series of quick stoppages, sweeping through Benjamin Gavazzi, Braian Suarez, and Richard Rivera in a combined four rounds across his last three bouts. His most recent outing marked a successful U.S. debut, where he stopped Rivera in the second round.
Weighing the Weight Class Realities
The potential matchup faces clear logistical hurdles. Benavidez moved from super middleweight to light heavyweight in 2024 before making another jump to cruiserweight. ESPN’s No. 4 pound-for-pound fighter now competes at 200 pounds, leaving Whittaker to weigh his own division goals against the lure of a high-profile cross-division clash.
Whittaker’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, previously noted that a bout against Benavidez would come too early in the Briton’s career. While Whittaker is older, Benavidez brings significantly more professional experience, holding 19 more fights on his résumé alongside status as a three-division world champion.
Despite those obstacles, Whittaker remains open to the idea down the line, acknowledging past remarks from Benavidez’s father, Jose Benavidez Sr., who called for the bout last year.
Division Domination Before Any Move
Before entertaining a heavier catchweight or a move to cruiserweight to meet Benavidez, Whittaker insists on establishing total authority within his current weight class. An Olympic silver medalist who has campaigned at 175 pounds since turning professional in 2022, Whittaker wants to mirror his amateur success in the professional ranks.