Rising British boxing star Ben Whittaker invited Turki Alalshikh to organize a fight against Chris Eubank Jr. at a catchweight.
Boxxer welcomed Eubank to its roster in July, saying in a statement on X: “We are thrilled to announce that one of the biggest names and brightest stars in world boxing has signed a long-term partnership with Boxxer.” It continued: “Time to change the game … fight news coming soon.”
Even then, World Boxing News lead writer Alan Dawson responded to the post to say it was a “good signing” for Boxxer, which should do all it can “to build Eubank vs. Whittaker as a long-term goal.”
Just one month later, it emerged that such a showdown could be the stuff of reality rather than fantasy.
“Never say never,” Whittaker told Sky Sports this week. “It’s a good fantasy fight. He’s got a great name, and, who knows, I’d be up for it.”
Whittaker, 27, is one of Britain’s rising stars as the silver medalist at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo has transferred his amateur success into the pro ranks with an unbeaten record of 8 wins (5 KOs) to date, including three in 2024 alone.
Though Eubank won the Golden Gloves tournament his career is a contrast to Whittaker’s, who has accolades at a higher level, including a medal at the World Amateur Championships.
As a pro, though, Eubank has Whittaker beat with big fights against the likes of Billy Joe Saunders, Arthur Abraham, George Groves, James DeGale, and Liam Smith.
It is unlikely they will fight any time soon, but if they did compete against one another, it could be presented as a possible passing of the torch involving two athletes who are both important to British sport.
Whittaker continued: “It would be a one-off fight.”
One obvious barrier is the weight disparity. Eubank, who is back down to middleweight, is 5-foot-11 and typically weighs in at 160 pounds. Whittaker, meanwhile, is 6-foot-3 and 175 pounds.
“It would have to be a catchweight of some sort — hopefully super middle,” said Whittaker, in a bid to find middle ground. “But, if he’s game, I’m game.”
Whittaker then indicated how such a fight could be expedited, and take place sooner than anticipated.
“Tell Turki to set it up,” he said. “I’m alright with that.”
Eubank was also recently on Sky Sports News and the broadcaster asked him about the mythical match-up, too.
“I genuinely have never thought about that,” Eubank said, considering the prospect. “Who knows? Listen, I got up to 190 pounds this year. I don’t know how. I’ve never been that weight before.
“I’m 34 years old, maybe the metabolism is slowing down, but I got on the scales and I was 190lbs. Is that light-heavy? Who knows?”
Alan Dawson is World Boxing News Lead Writer, a 2 x Sports Journalist of the Year finalist, and 5 x BWAA awards winner. Follow Alan @AlanDawsonSport.
