Ben Whittaker further underlined his significant potential with a first-round blitz of Benjamin Gavazi on a statement debut for Matchroom.

The 2020 Olympic silver medalist twice floored his German opponent in a short-lived main event on home soil at the NEC in Birmingham on Saturday night, winning the WBC Silver light-heavyweight title in ferocious style as he sent another serious statement of intent across the division.

Gavazi had put together an 18-fight winning streak since losing on his professional debut, but was quickly overwhelmed as he was sent to the canvas by a spiteful barrage from Whittaker that finished with a massive right hand.

He beat the referee’s count, but there was still more than a minute left in the round and the ruthless Whittaker was in no mood to let him off

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