Whittaker vs. Gavazi for WBC Silver Title in Birmingham

Ben Whittaker faces German challenger Benjamin Gavazi on Saturday in Birmingham, England, as the British light heavyweight makes his promotional debut with Matchroom Boxing in a 10-round bout for the vacant WBC Silver title at 175 pounds.

The fight headlines a card at the National Exhibition Centre, with ring walks for the main event expected around 9:30 p.m. GMT following an undercard that begins at 7 p.m. GMT. Whittaker, a 28-year-old from Wolverhampton and 2020 Olympic silver medalist, enters with a record of 9-0-1, including six knockouts. He holds the IBF International light heavyweight championship, which he has defended since June 2024. Gavazi, 30, brings a 19-1 record with 13 knockouts and arrives on a 19-fight winning streak since his debut loss in 2018. The German captured the WBC International light heavyweight title in December 2024.

Whittaker's path to this matchup included a technical draw against Liam Cameron in October 2024, when both fighters fell over the ropes and Whittaker sustained an injury that forced the bout's abandonment. He rebounded with a second-round stoppage of Cameron in their April 2025 rematch, his first under trainer Andy Lee. That victory...