Hailed by Matchroom Boxing as Britain’s most exciting fighter, Ben Whittaker returns to the ring after nearly five months out, headlining at the M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool on Saturday night, live on DAZN.

He tops the bill after Callum Smith withdrew from his fight with David Morrell due to injury. Whittaker moved from Boxxer to Matchroom in October 2025, but the activity he was promised has yet to materialise.

After his one-round demolition of Benjamin Gavazi in November, the plan was for him to make a splash in America on the Jaron Boots Ennis vs Vergil Ortiz Jr undercard. The card collapsed and was never made, which stalled momentum.

The American debut is now pushed to 27 June, where Whittaker is due to feature on the undercard of the light middleweight world title fight between Xander Zayas and Boots Ennis.

In the meantime, Whittaker faces an opponent he probably didn’t expect to be fighting four years into his professional career, but this is where he finds himself.

Argentina’s Braian Suarez has 20 knockouts in 21 wins, with four losses. He took Lyndon Arthur ten rounds in a thriller, dropping him before being stopped by a crippling body shot in 2023, so he’s no stranger to British fans.

Suarez won’t take a backwards step and will earn his money for as long as the fight lasts, but Whittaker’s pedigree should tell.

Having not yet shared a ring with any of the top domestic names or anyone at the world level, only an emphatic win will stop the questions around Whittaker’s credentials.

His talent isn’t up for debate, but the wait for him to face a recognisable name is becoming the story in itself.

Trainer Andy Lee, usually calm, was more upbeat than normal at yesterday’s press conference when discussing Whittaker’s progress since they linked up two fights ago.


‘This is a real test and a serious challenge, but if Ben is going to do what I think he’s going to do in the sport, these are the challenges he needs.

‘What I’ve seen in Ben this camp has gone to a whole other level. He keeps getting better each week. It’s scary, very exciting.’

Suarez is hoping to produce another thriller to match his battle with Arthur, but this time come out on top. He sent a warning to Whittaker through a translator.

‘My record speaks for itself.

‘There’s no need to speculate, I’m an attacking fighter. I’m here to rough up Ben, you’re going to see how that goes down on Saturday.’

Whittaker (10-0-1, 7 KOs) ever the entertainer, is taking it all in his stride.

‘What he said is cute.

‘They can all talk, they can all say they’re going to do this and that. Saturday we’ll see.

‘All he can do is walk forward with those slow ass platypus feet and that big ass Roblox head.

‘All I’m going to do is go out there, look pretty, look good and however long it lasts, it lasts.’

Molly McCann vs Ashleigh Johnson

Molly McCann’s transition from MMA to boxing continues as she takes on Ashleigh Johnson, who has three wins and three losses.

Eddie Hearn said that Molly fighting in front of her home crowd was one of the main reasons the card stayed on after Callum Smith pulled out injured.

This will be McCann’s fourth fight under Queensberry rules. She has won all three so far, one by knockout and was quick to thank Hearn for keeping the show on for the local fans.

‘The Scousers will be coming, they’ll be loud. I’m absolutely buzzing,’

‘I think if you’ve looked at my last three fights, I’ve evolved in each one.

‘When you fight in MMA, the game plan is always different because your opponent has a different style, so for the first three fights in boxing we were figuring out what works and what doesn’t, what my reactions are and what answers I have to the questions being asked.

‘I’m really happy with where my boxing is for this fight.

‘A year ago I put my four ounce gloves down and signed with you, and in eight months we’ve had four fights.

‘I’m really happy we’ve been this active. I can’t wait to show everyone the hard work we’re doing.’

Liverpool’s Joe McGrail (12-0, 5 KOs) fights for his first belt as he takes on Lancashire’s Aaron Hayden (10-0, 2 KOs) who makes the first defence of his Central Area title.

Matchroom’s young heavyweight prospect Leo Atang continues his journey in the professional ranks in his sixth fight to round off the main card.

Main Card: Saturday 18 April, 7pm, DAZN

Ben Whittaker vs Braian Suarez, Light Heavyweight, 10 rounds
Molly McCann vs Ashleigh Johnson, Super Bantamweight, 8 rounds
Joe McGrail vs Aaron Hayden, Super Bantamweight, 10 rounds
Leo Atang vs Viktar Chvarkou, Heavyweight, 6 rounds

Prelims: Saturday 18 April, 5pm, DAZN and DAZN Boxing YouTube Channel

Ste Clarke vs Luis Enrique Montelongo, Middleweight, 8 rounds
Jack Power vs Novak Radulovic, Middleweight, 6 rounds
Sam Norris vs Jahfieus Faure, Super Featherweight, 4 rounds
Tom Rafferty vs Pablo Sosa, Super Middleweight, 6 rounds

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