Ben Whittaker’s handlers are targeting another hometown fight for the Olympic silver medallist in September.
‘The Surgeon’ blasted Liam Cameron away inside two rounds over the weekend in a much-anticipated rematch at the BP Pulse Live Arena in Birmingham.
Their inaugural encounter ended in controversial circumstances when both fighters flipped over the top rope in the fifth round, resulting in Whittaker sustaining injuries that left him unable to continue.
However, he has now put that rivalry in the rearview mirror and will face a sterner test in his next outing.
During a recent appearance on the Ariel Helwani show, Whittaker’s promoter, Ben Shalom, named highly-rated British boxers Lewis Edmondson, Dan Azeez and Willy Hutchinson as possible dance partners for his client.
“We’re going to headline again in September. Back in his hometown [of Birmingham] again,” said Shalom.
“To be honest, the change I have seen with Andy Lee in such a short period of time gives me much more confidence that he has the right people around him.
“It is going to be strength to strength now. We are going to allow him to have different opponents, different styles, but definitely stepping him up each time.”
Asked about possible opponents, Shalom replied: “We have a couple in mind.
“In the domestic light heavyweight scene, it is decent over here. You have got Lewis Edmondson, you have got Dan Azeez, you have got Willy Hutchinson.
“You have got a lot of guys in and around that British level. It is perfect.
“It is ready-made for a star like Ben. So we will see. We will sit down over the next couple of weeks, and we will see what is next.
GettyEdmondson is the current British and Commonwealth champion[/caption]
“They will be queuing up. He’s the biggest payday in the division.”
Edmondson (11-0) is the current British and Commonwealth light heavyweight champion.
He won the belts by defeating Azeez last October via majority decision.
Azeez (20-2-1) is the only British light-heavyweight to capture all of the British Boxing Board of Control domestic titles (Southern Area, English, British).
He is also a former Commonwealth and European champion at 175lbs, however, he is currently riding a three-fight winless streak.
Hutchinson (18-2) recently revived his career with a big win over Craig Richards on the Queensberry vs Matchroom card last June.
The victory elevated him to a WBO interim title fight against Joshua Buatsi, although he came up short via split decision.
