Eddie Hearn Signs Olympic Silver Medalist Ben Whittaker to Long-Term Matchroom Deal, Calls It “The Greatest Signing in Boxing Today”

Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed today, October 6, that he’d signed 2020 Olympic silver medalist Ben Whittaker to a long-term deal with Matchroom.

Matchroom’s Power Move

Hearn stated that this is “the greatest signing to make in boxing today.” He adds that he views Ben as a possible “generational talent.”

Bivol & Beterbiev Window Closing

Whittaker (9-0-1, 6 KOs) is coming at the right time, as the current top light heavyweights, Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev, are approaching advanced age. Who knows how long they have before they both retire?

Whittaker, 28, had been with Boxxer since entering the pro ranks in 2022. Some fans feel that he has wasted his talent all this time by staying with them rather than inking with Hearn right out of the pro ranks.

“I wanted to come on board with Matchroom because I believe they will help navigate my path towards winning those belts at the right time,” said Ben.

It would be a good idea for Hearn and Whittaker not to wait too long for the “right time.” The division is constantly adding new talent, and Ben is already pushing 30.

Hearn will discuss the signing of Whittaker at the London press conference on October 17, 2025.

Whittaker is ranked #9 WBC, #11 WBA, and #13 IBF at light heavyweight. He’s coming off a second-round knockout win over Liam Cameron in their rematch on April 20, 2025.

In their first fight on October 12, 2024, in Riyadh, it ended in a bizarre sixth-round technical draw when Whittaker fell out of the ring and suffered a freak injury. Some boxing fans believe that he intentionally did this to escape the fight because it was going badly for him at the time.

Frank Smith Calls It a Game Changer

Matchroom CEO Frank Smith called the signing of Whittaker a “game changer.” It’s going to be interesting to see if Smith and Hearn can guide him to a world title.

Despite winning a Silver medal in the 2020 Olympics, he’s still largely inexperienced as a pro. At 28, he’s at an age where he should be ready to hit the ground running, fighting the best. They can’t afford to take the slow approach with Whittaker like they would with other fighters with only nine fights under their belts.

Andy Lee trains Whittaker, and he views this as a “fresh start” joining up with Matchroom.

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