WBC Cancels Buatsi Eliminator, Citing Whittaker’s Silver Status

The WBC has abruptly chosen to cancel its previous order for #3 Ben Whittaker to fight #2 Joshua Buatsi in a final title eliminator.

The WBC’s rationale for canceling the Buatsi-Whittaker order is Whittaker’s obligations as the organization’s new Silver champion. As the Silver strap holder, Ben has what the sanctioning body says “obligations.”

Had Whittaker fought the more experienced Buatsi, he might have lost the fight. That’s an advanced fighter with power in both hands, Olympic experience, and accustomed to being involved in wars. We saw that in Buatsi’s battle against Callum Smith earlier this year.

With the Whittaker now free to focus on his obligations as the Silver champion, he’s expected to fight a top-15 contender for his next fight. Promoter Eddie Hearn said his next fight will be in the US in March or April.

“Joshua Buatsi vs Ben Whittaker ordered as final elimination bout. — * This order has been canceled due to silver championship obligations for Whittaker,” per the WBC website.

He didn’t provide a list of opponents he’ll be picking from, but it could be an American or US-based fighter with whom ultra-hardcore boxing fans are familiar. The purpose would be to showcase Whittaker to make him look sensational, not to get him beaten.

Matching him against US-based non-Americans David Morrell or Oleksandr Gvozdyk would work against Hearn’s goal of turning Whittaker into a star. The chances are high that he would lose to both of them, and the hype about him in the UK would evaporate permanently, viewing him as just another guy who failed to live up to his amateur success.

Whittaker (10-0-1, 7 KOs) captured the vacant WBC Silver light heavyweight title last November, knocking out the obscure non-contender Benjamin Gavazi in the first round. He looked good in that fight, but fans question where Hearn found Gavazi to use him as an opponent.