By Rising light-heavyweight star Ben Whittaker has responded enthusiastically to Chris Eubank Jr’s suggestion of a potential fight between the two, despite them competing in different weight classes. Whittaker, who won an Olympic silver medal at light-heavyweight and has since claimed the IBF International title, would gladly accept the challenge.
“If the money’s there, sign me up. I’m bigger, I’m younger, I’m fresher. I wouldn’t turn it down,” Whittaker told Sky Sports. He acknowledges that it might be an unexpected match-up but sees it as an intriguing opportunity: “It is a bit of a weird fight that’s come about. Like I said, it would be a fun one to tick off the list.”
Eubank Jr., a seasoned fighter in the middleweight division, has opened the door to the possibility of facing Whittaker. Despite the difference in their career stages, with Eubank Jr. being more established and Whittaker still on the rise, Whittaker is confident in his ability to win. “I’m bigger,” he stated. “They make weight classes for a reason and I think he’s coming to the end of his career. I’m in the middle of starting my career, so for me, it’s probably the right time to catch him.”
Whittaker is set to fight Liam Cameron on October 12, while Eubank Jr. will face Kamil Szeremeta on the same bill at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. Both fighters have expressed mutual respect, but Whittaker remains confident that he would come out on top if they ever faced each other: “I just tick every department. He’s got experience. He’s been in there in some bigger fights, of course, but I just think if it did come to it, I’m better.”
Eubank Jr. also acknowledged Whittaker’s growing popularity and impact in the sport, particularly on social media. “I’ve watched him. It’s pretty insane how popular he is in terms of social media. He’s getting a lot of attention,” Eubank said. He didn’t dismiss the idea of the fight, calling it a “sexy fight” between two entertaining and brash fighters.
With both fighters set to compete soon, the potential match-up remains a tantalizing possibility for boxing fans.
