Ben Whittaker Faces Another Step Before World Title

Eddie Hearn plans a February or March return for Whittaker, with another fight likely before challenging the winner of Dmitry Bivol against Callum Smith. Saturday could secure his mandatory position, but the route Hearn describes still includes a substantial test before the championship opportunity.

“I think it’s very likely we would have one more before fighting the winner of that fight,” Hearn told DAZN following Thursday’s press conference.

“But that could be a Buatsi–Hutchinson winner. That could be an Anthony Yarde, which is a fight that Andy Lee seems to be calling out a little bit.