As expected, the next fight for Ben Whittaker will take place on the June 27 Barclays Center, Brooklyn undercard of the junior middleweight collision between Xander Zayas vs. Jaron Ennis. The light heavyweight, who earlier this month blitzed Braian Suarez inside one round, will take on Hartford, Connecticut's Richard Rivera in a 10-round WBC eliminator of sorts.
Rivera, 27-2 (20 KOs), is perhaps best known for losing a 10-round split decision to Badou Jack in the summer of 2022. The 35-year-old, known as "Popeye The Sailor Man", hasn't otherwise mixed in world class circles and will be a heavy underdog in a bout designed as a showcase for the promising Whittaker, 11-0-1 (8 KOs). Rivera last fought in January 2025, knocking out Roger Guerrero in two rounds.
Also confirmed for the bill: A junior welterweight 10-rounder between Emiliano Vargas, 17-0 (14 KOs), and Bryce Mills, 22-1 (9 KOs); and another 10-rounder, at middleweight, between the 16-1-1 (7 KOs) Jahi Tucker and Euri Cedeno, 14-0-1 (12 KOs).
