That’s where the belief is. The proof is no.
Whittaker didn’t have an opponent lined up in his first Matchroom, a first-round knockout of Benjamin Gavazi on November 29. It was good and forgettable. It proved that Whittaker could defeat limited opposition, but he did nothing to clarify where he stood against credible opposition.
That’s where the fans’ impatience comes in. At 28, Whittaker is no longer a long-term development issue. He is a 2020 Olympic silver medalist with a top 10 finish, and those credentials often call for questions about when to start testing.
Hearn has stressed that there is no rush to put Whittaker among the elite of the light heavyweight division. Public, action oriented. The plan is for Whittaker to fight multiple times in 2026, staying sharp while gradually building up. If that arrangement remains, it will be necessary to spread the next enemy quickly, and the height will be more important than the time.
Whittaker said he will fight David Benavidez “when I’m ready.” The information attracted attention because of where Benavidez lives. Benavidez operates at the top of the division, holds the interim WBC and WBA titles and has been established as one of the division’s most complete fighters. In that regard, Whittaker’s timeline seemed disconnected from the reality of the rapidity of the division.
Benavidez can’t wait years for a competition that’s lighting up his ceiling.
Whittaker remains undefeated with 10 wins, but the opposition has been modest. He was no match for the urgency shown to Andy Cruz, the other Olympic medalist under the Matchroom umbrella. The comparison is not fair. Cruz arrived with a deeper body of work. However, the difference was not missed.
Hearn described Whittaker as a “generational talent” with the world ahead of him. That theory has never been tested. One of the early signs came in Whittaker’s first fight with Liam Cameron, where the constant opposition seemed to bother him more than expected.
For now, Whittaker sits between groups. It’s a lot of experience to be a beginner. Not proven enough to be considered a star. If Matchroom wants to match the language, the other opponent needs more than a quick drop. Soon, Whittaker will have to face someone who can push back.