Asked about the criticism during an interview, Smith defended the pace of Whittaker’s development while making it clear that tougher tests are coming.
“We’ve stepped up opponents,” Smith said. “The fact he’s gone in there and dealt with those opponents in the way he has, that just shows the class of Ben Whittaker,” said Smith to talkSPORT Boxing.
Smith said Matchroom has no intention of rushing Whittaker before the team believes he is ready.
“We will continue to step up and go on that journey to build him into the position to become a superstar, not just for six months or 12 months, but for the next five, six, seven years,” Smith said. “He has all the potential in this sport to be a superstar. He’s delivering inside the ring, and outside the ring, he delivers as well.”
The interview followed Hearn’s heated exchange with a journalist who questioned whether Matchroom was matching Whittaker aggressively enough. Hearn rejected the criticism, saying the team’s decisions would be based on what was best for the fighter’s career rather than outside opinions.
Whittaker has quickly become one of British boxing’s most recognizable personalities, combining his amateur pedigree with an entertaining style and growing popularity. While some observers believe he is ready for a significant jump in competition, Matchroom continues to favor a measured approach.
Smith’s comments suggest that strategy is unlikely to change. Instead, the company plans to keep increasing the level of opposition while aiming to position Whittaker for major fights over the coming years rather than accelerating his rise for the sake of public perception.
