Ben Whittaker has his eyes set on a fight with Dan Azeez.
Azeez fights on June 15 against a to-be-confirmed opponent, the same card that Whittaker faces Eworitse Ezra Arenyeka (live on Peacock in the US).
Azeez most recently lost to Joshua Buatsi, and that pair alongside Craig Richards and Willy Hutchinson (who fight live on DAZN this weekend), are some prominent figures in his sights.
Asked by BoxingScene if he was targeting a clash with Buatsi, Whittaker countered that, given his showboating reputation, he should be the fighter in demand, especially as he could be WBA Gold world champion at 175lbs.
“If anything, they’re looking at me, because they know I bring the eyes and all I can do is keep winning and winning and winning,” Whittaker said. “This fight [on June 15] now is for a belt [a WBA bauble].
“This year’s about building, getting a belt or two on the way, and that’s what they’re providing. So for me, I’ll just focus on myself.”
Adding Anthony Yarde to a potential list of opponents, he said: “Yeah, I’d love to [face the likes of Yarde and Buatsi] and I think that’s what the fans want, and I think that’s what the fans need, but we might be on two different paths. They’re 34, 35.
“I think people like Yarde might have one more shot at a world title and that might be him done, whereas I’m 26 and I’m going through the ranks pretty quick, so if we do meet in the middle that would be perfect. If not, it might be one of those where it’s gone too late.
“Skill-wise, I’m there now, 100 percent. But I want these little steps where I want a bit of needle, the opponents are talking, there’s a belt on the line, it’s a big stadium fight. For me, that’s what you kind of need in your career, and ticking off those experiences. We will be ready for those guys.”
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