Hearn outlines Barclays Center fight next, with Yarde or Arthur discussed for late summer
Eddie Hearn says Ben Whittaker will return in the United States following his first-round win over Braian Suarez. A Barclays Center fight is planned next, with Anthony Yarde and Lyndon Arthur mentioned for late summer.
“We have a plan with Ben that I won’t deviate from because I know what I’m doing,” Hearn said to Secondsout after the fight. “The American fight is going to be against a good tough American name. Then when we come back in August, September, we’re going to headline. Andy Lee likes Anthony Yarde. I was talking about Lyndon Arthur.”
If the June 27 opponent is another Suarez-level fighter, that hype train narrative is only going to get louder. The biggest giveaway that the June 27th opponent won’t be a world-beater is the turnaround time. June 27th to late August is only 8 weeks. If Whittaker gets into a real war or takes heavy damage against a Morrell-type, that UK headliner is dead in the water.
Hearn also made clear that patience is still part of the plan, even as public demand grows for Whittaker to face stronger opposition.
“Unfortunately for him, or fortunately, he’s going to have to find out soon if we are the real deal,” Hearn said.
If the barometer for being the “real deal” is the elite quartet against Lyndon Arthur, Anthony Yarde, and Joshua Buatsi, Whittaker is currently on a completely different planet.
Hearn’s strategy is a calculated slow-burn that relies on the eye test rather than the “resume test.”
“The potential is there, but there’s still many levels beyond Suarez. I can’t scream and shout and say there you go everyone, there’s proof that he is elite because there’s other levels,” said Hearn.
The “Good Tough American Name” that Hearn mentioned earlier for Whittaker’s next fight on June 27th in the U.S. This is likely a durable veteran, the old shoes, who will survive long enough to let Whittaker dance for the New York crowd but won’t have the speed to touch him.
The late summer fight for Whittaker will likely be against Yarde or Arthur in the UK. These are respected domestic fighters, but in Hearn’s world, they serve as the final gate before the world title conversation starts in 2027.
