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Ben Whittaker is prepared to play in America: ‘The Yankees will love him’

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When Ben Whittaker entered the ring with rapper Dizzee Rascal in Birmingham on Saturday, you got the impression that the audience didn’t quite know what to make of it all.

But Birmingham, a tough, tough, working-class English city notable for its role in the Industrial Revolution and, more recently, its setting, better get used to the fact that they have a flashy, flashy superstar on their doorstep.

Whittaker (10-0-1, 7 KO) knows not everyone is to his liking – even promoter Eddie Hearn admitted he wasn’t sure he liked him at first – and he loves it.

What you can’t argue with is the brutal knockout of Benjamin Gavazi, an experienced guy who was supposed to give him the round but didn’t last three minutes.

However, boxing fans are challenging to please.

Warriors must have it all. If you talk a lot, you better justify it. If you can fight but have no personality, you better get it.

Whittaker has both in the package, and the right hand he unleashed on Gavazi showed people he can punch as well as he says. The opponents will get tougher, but he’s 11 fights into his career and Hearn knows where he wants to take him next.

This almost mythical promised land for all British fighters.

The truth is that as much as Whittaker loves the British fans and fights at home, he is tailor-made for America, where they love and embrace the showman rather than cut him off at the knees. Confirmation that Hearn had signed a bona fide star in the family business came from his daughter.

“You signed Ben Whittaker? He’s so cold… He’s ailing!” She excitedly informed her father.

“Please name me another player in the UK who could get a reaction from a crowd like that,” Hearn told ESPN.

“The Yankees will love him for sure. A lot of Americans will boo him, by the way, but that’s all.”

The promoter’s challenge now is to match him against tough enough opponents while not moving too quick.

Either way, America is calling.

Ideally, Hearn would like the Briton to be on the Jaron Ennis vs. Vergil Ortiz fight card in the first half of next year, if that fight happens and Las Vegas is the target.

Whittaker is also aware of the path he is already on.

“If you want to build a star like me, you have to take your time,” he said. His post-fight comments were a mix of knowing there was still work to be done, but with his trademark pride.

As he said in the ring, “Damn, I looked good.”

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Boxing

Joe Joyce announces his return to fighting more than a year after Filip Hrgović’s defeat

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Joe Joyce announces comeback fight over a year after Filip Hrgovic defeat

Joe Joyce will return to action against the undefeated heavyweight on July 11, marking his first fight under SugarHill head coach Steward.

The 40-year-old has not fought since April 2025, when he made a sturdy showing of himself before losing a unanimous decision to Filip Hrgovic. Joyce was scheduled to face fellow veteran Dillian Whyte and then face former world title challenger Hrgovic in a grueling 10-round fight when Whyte withdrew due to injury.

before, “Juggernaut” was rejected and scored unanimously by Derek Chisorawhich followed his 10th round victory over Kash Ali in 2024.

Hoping to get back into the win column, Joyce is now preparing to face Russian Artem Suslenkov in the Murat Gassiev vs Tony Yoka fight at Moscow’s VTB Arena.

After making contact with renowned trainer Steward, who is best known for his work with Tyson Fury, Joyce said he was looking forward to meeting the 30-year-old away.

“I have spent the last year preparing, training and wanting to get back into the ring. I am excited to go to Russia and fight for the WBA continental heavyweight title on July 11.

“Thank you IBA Pro for this opportunity. My team and I are locked in and Moscow should prepare for a great performance.”

Suslenkov boasts a professional record of 14-0 (9 KO), and most notably defeated Michael Hunter by eight-round unanimous decision in an IBA Pro match in 2024.

In the heavyweight division, the 6-foot-1 inch has also previously passed Christian Hammer and has stopped fights against Agron Smakici and Artur Mann each time.

Meanwhile, Joyce clearly wants to stay in the sport even after many called for him to retire following back-to-back losses to Zhilei Zhang in 2023.

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Boxing

Adrien Broner raises fresh concerns during live broadcast

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Adrien Broner during recent live streams showing his physical condition and drinking habits

Adrien Broner has sparked fresh concern after another live broadcast showed the former four-weight world champion struggling physically while continuing to consume alcohol.

Broner is present every day on the 24/7 broadcasts with influential boxer DeenTheGreat, and alcohol is rarely off limits during broadcasts.

However, many viewers believe that drinking itself is no longer the biggest problem.

Recent broadcasts showed Broner swallowing drinks quickly, taking them from other people nearby and appearing to choke or nearly vomit on several occasions as he continued to drink.

Fresh care

Broner has never hidden his love of nightlife, and many people can drink regularly and still be in complete control.

What concerned some viewers was the increasingly perceptible physical effects of alcohol on the welterweight star in real time.

During recent shows, Broner has repeatedly appeared to be unwell after drinking alcohol, and moments where he appears to be on the verge of illness have become challenging for viewers to watch.

As WBN previously reported, Ryan Garcia publicly urged Broner to stop drinking after watching stream clips while Gervonta Davis was undergoing a health check.

The scenes have heightened concern around the boxer who once built his reputation on training camp discipline and maintaining excellent fitness for much of the year.

DeenTheGreat | Throw

Another picture

Other shows featured drunken calls by Floyd Mayweather and increasingly erratic moments.

For a fighter once seen as Mayweather’s successor and one of boxing’s brightest stars, the contrast is making headlines.

What started as a live-streaming venture that Broner thought would make him a millionaire again is now generating a very different reaction.

Broner continues to insist that he is rebuilding his life and finances through streaming.

But as more and more clips spread online, more and more people seem less interested in the entertainment value and more focused on the man at the center of the action.


About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Since 2010, he has been interviewing world champions, breaking down international titles exclusively and reporting from the ring. His work is distributed on major platforms including Apple News. Read the full biography.

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Bill Haney says Devin Haney is still developing at 27 years aged

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Image: Bill Haney Says Devin Haney Is Still Developing At 27

Haney has spent much of the last year being associated with some of boxing’s biggest names, including Ryan Garcia, Brian Norman Jr. and, most recently, Shakur Stevenson, amid reports that Zuffa Boxing is targeting big-name fights on its roster.

When asked about the future and the opportunities that will be available to players as up-to-date platforms enter the sport, Haney pointed to the long-term goals he still has for his son.

“At 27, Devin is still going forceful. He’s still heading towards, you know what I mean, boxer from Mount Rushmore. It’s still growing said Bill to MillCity Boxing.

Haney also shared a favorable opinion of Zuffa’s entry into boxing, suggesting that additional platforms could only benefit fighters looking to advance their careers.

“It’s a platform for the athlete to come through and that’s what it is, he really listens to his coach and his coach really looks at everything. I mean, it’s a great opportunity, man,” Bill said.

While critics continue to debate Devin Haney’s place in the sport’s elite, Bill believes his achievements have already earned him a place among boxing’s greatest fighters.

“Well, that would have to be difficult when you were talking to other Hall of Fame players and they were saying Devin was a Hall of Famer and they were saying you’re wrong. You never hear a Hall of Famer with his game,” Bill said.

“I think once they realize that and sit down, they’d like to have a career like Devin had.”

Haney’s comments come as Devin continues to consider his next move in a loaded welterweight division with several high-profile fights potentially available as boxing’s promotional landscape evolves.

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