Ben Whittaker Dominates Braian Suarez in Liverpool

British light-heavyweight Ben Whittaker showcased his boxing prowess with a first-round knockout of Argentina's Braian Suarez at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool. The fight, which took place on April 18, 2026, was initially set to feature Callum Smith in a title eliminator against David Morrell, but Smith's injury led to Whittaker being elevated to the main event. This victory improved Whittaker's professional record to 11 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw, with 8 of those wins coming by knockout.

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Whittaker, 28, demonstrated his striking ability by landing a powerful right hook that sent Suarez to the canvas with just over 40 seconds remaining in the first round. Despite Suarez's claims that the punch was illegal, replays confirmed it was a legitimate shot. The referee's count reached ten as Suarez struggled to regain his footing, marking Whittaker's second consecutive first-round stoppage following his previous win over Benjamin Gavazi.

New York beckons for Ben Whittaker after first round blowout of Braian Suarez

Whittaker, a silver medalist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, has been on a steady rise in the light-heavyweight division since turning professional. His recent performances under the guidance of trainer Andy Lee have seen him adopt a more disciplined approach, minimizing showboating and focusing on effective striking. Prior to the fight against Suarez, Whittaker had already made a name for himself with impressive victories over Liam Cameron and Benjamin Gavazi.

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Following the fight, promoter Eddie Hearn expressed confidence in Whittaker's potential, stating, "We know exactly what we're doing. Next up he's going to be where he should be... in New York." Hearn anticipates that Whittaker will be ready to compete against top fighters in the division by 2027. Whittaker himself remarked, "The more I get in this ring, the more experience I get... it's dangerous for my rivals."

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Despite the impressive nature of the victory, some analysts caution against overestimating Whittaker's readiness for elite competition. Critics point out that Suarez's record includes several losses against higher-caliber opponents, suggesting that while Whittaker's performance was commendable, it may not be indicative of his ability to compete against the very best in the light-heavyweight division.

New York beckons for Ben Whittaker after first round blowout of Braian Suarez

Whittaker is set to make his American debut on June 27, 2026, on the undercard of the Jaron Ennis vs. Xander Zayas fight at Brooklyn's Barclays Center. This upcoming bout is seen as a significant step in his career, as he aims to establish himself on the international stage and continue his ascent in the boxing world.

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• “For me, they can all call me out. They are calling me out for a reason,” — Ben Whittaker

Ben Whittaker knocks out Braian Suarez in first round before announcing US debut on Jaron Ennis and Xander Zayas show

• “I truly believe in 2027 he'll be ready for every 175 pounds fighter in the world. We've finally got someone in this country with superstar potential who could go out and beat them all.” — Eddie Hearn

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Ben Whittaker's knockout victory over Braian Suarez not only solidifies his status as a rising star in boxing but also sets the stage for his future endeavors in the sport.

Sports Illustrated