“I’ll tell you now, the level, the only level that I think is going to be competitive for Ben Whittaker is the big levels,: said Hearn to Fighthype. “Benavidez, Bivol, Beterbiev, all those guys. I don’t see anybody else,” said Hearn. “Honestly, you’ll see this kid’s a special fighter.”
Hearn went even further when asked specifically about a potential fight with WBC light heavyweight champion David Benavidez.
“I’m telling you, Ben Whittaker can beat him maybe next year, year and a half, something like that,” Hearn said.
The prediction places Whittaker alongside fighters who have already proven themselves at the highest level. The 28-year-old remains unbeaten as a professional but has yet to face a world-level opponent. Rivera represents another step up in competition, though a victory would still leave Whittaker well short of the résumé possessed by Benavidez.
Benavidez is currently one of the leading figures at 175 pounds and is expected to pursue an undisputed championship fight against Dmitry Bivol. A cruiserweight unification bout with WBC champion Noel Mikaelian has also been discussed for later this year.
Whittaker’s immediate focus is on Rivera on Saturday. Hearn, however, believes his fighter already possesses the talent needed to eventually challenge the best names in the division.
