Ben Whittaker Says American Fans Understand Him Better Than UK Audiences Ahead Of U.S. Debut

“I think I get a lot of love over there. I’ve been to New York numerous times, and every time I’m there just walking the street, I get a lot of love,” said Whittaker to the Stomping Ground. “It’s a place I’ve always wanted to fight. America, I think they get me a little bit more. They get the character. They get what I’m trying to do.”

Whittaker has become one of the sport’s most polarizing young fighters due to his flamboyant style and showmanship. While critics have accused him of focusing too much on entertainment, he believes his personality has helped attract new audiences to boxing.

“There’s a lot of kids. Some of the dads come up to me and say they don’t even like boxing, they just wanted to come and see you do your dancing thing,” Whittaker said. “It shows I’m touching a different audience and hopefully that can bring more kids into the sport.”

Whittaker enters the fight with momentum after stopping Liam Cameron in two rounds in April. Rivera represents a step up in experience, having previously challenged Badou Jack for a world title and losing a split decision in that bout.

The 28-year-old Whittaker (11-0-1, 8 KOs) views Saturday’s appearance as an opportunity to expand his profile in a market he has long targeted. A victory over the 35-year-old veteran Rivera would keep him moving toward the world-title level while giving American fans their first live look at one of Britain’s most talked-about fighters.