Ben Whittaker Puts on a First-Round Show in Liverpool

Ben Whittaker secured a first-round knockout victory over Bryan Suarez in their bout at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool. Following the fight, it was confirmed that the Briton's next appearance will be in New York on June 27th, as part of a fight gala at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, headlined by Jaron Ennis vs. Xander Zayas.

Whittaker was eager to get back into the ring, having not fought since November 2025, when he defeated Germany's Benjamin Gavazi in the opening round. Since then, the 28-year-old boxer had been awaiting his US debut, which had yet to materialize. This period of inactivity might have made Whittaker keen to accumulate more rounds, but despite the fight ending at 2:24 in the first round, the WBC's #3 light-heavyweight contender didn't rush his actions.

The West Bromwich boxer, now boasting a record of 11-0-1 (8 KOs), coolly landed his straight left to Suarez's face, almost taunting his opponent in the early moments. The 34-year-old Argentine Suarez advanced behind a high guard but threw very few punches. When he did attempt something more significant, the Tokyo Games silver medalist simply evaded, waving to the crowd. Prior to the fight, Whittaker had mentioned struggling to balance being a showman with being a finisher, and by the end of the first round, the finish was delivered.

Whittaker landed a left hook to the body that dropped Suarez's guard, and as the Argentine stepped forward, Whittaker met him with a straight right over his arms. Suarez collapsed to the canvas, appearing completely disoriented. Suarez attempted to rise, but his body failed him, and referee Steve Gray counted to 10 while he was still on the floor. After the fight, the losing boxer complained that the final punch was illegal and landed on the back of his head. However, replays proved this not to be the case.

"It feels great, baby. To knock someone out like that in the first round shows the level I'm at. Everyone can challenge me, but the more confident I get, the more dangerous I become... When it's all over, I want to be remembered as one of the greatest British fighters," stated the boxer nicknamed "The Surgeon."

Following the loss, Suarez's record now stands at 21-5 (20 KOs), while Whittaker will move on to more serious opponents. On the same fight card, former UFC competitor Molly McCann secured her fourth professional boxing victory, defeating Ashley Johnson by decision over eight rounds. McCann, now 4-0 (1 KO), was disciplined throughout the bout, picking her shots against the tenacious Johnson, whose record is now 3-4. Referee Mark Lyson scored the fight 78-74 in favor of McCann.