Eddie Hearn needs to find Ben Whittaker a fight that prepares him for a world title shot, and Conor Wallace remains the obvious choice. At 29, Whittaker needs meaningful rounds against opponents who can expose his weaknesses, followed by evidence that he can correct them.
Hearn’s photograph alongside Anthony Yarde, captioned “Plotting what’s next,” gives fans another possibility to consider. Yarde is among the opponents Hearn has mentioned for Whittaker, although the meeting does not establish that a fight between them is being negotiated.
Plotting what’s next 🌎 https://t.co/AWWFNVJk3p
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) October 29, 2026
Whittaker earned his IBF mandatory position by beating Wallace on October 3, but the closing rounds weakened the case for sending him straight into a title fight. He controlled much of the contest before fading and getting hurt late, leaving a very different impression from the one he had built earlier.
“For me, no, he needs another fight,” Hearn said after the bout, naming Yarde, Wallace and the Joshua Buatsi–Willy Hutchinson winner as possibilities.
That leaves Hearn with a decision about what Whittaker actually needs. Another quick stoppage against an overmatched opponent would offer little preparation for championship opposition. Wallace forced him to work over the distance and exposed weaknesses that a better fighter could punish earlier.
A rematch would give Whittaker the chance to show he can finish strongly against someone who already knows how to hurt him. Wallace would have reason to attack sooner, having allowed Whittaker to collect too many of the early rounds before making his strongest effort.
Trainer Andy Lee cited COVID during the buildup to their first fight. If illness contributed to Whittaker’s late decline, facing Wallace again would provide an opportunity to demonstrate the difference a healthier preparation makes. It would also address the controversy surrounding a chaotic final round in which Whittaker went to the canvas three times without a knockdown being scored.
Yarde would bring a bigger domestic name and a heavier punching threat. That makes him an interesting option, but potentially a dangerous choice for someone who just struggled when Wallace increased the pressure. Whittaker would need to retain his concentration and defensive discipline when tired.
The Buatsi–Hutchinson winner would provide another demanding route. However, Hearn should be careful about treating any of these opponents as a convenient bridge to a title shot. Whittaker’s last performance showed why he needs the work.
Moving away from Wallace could also carry a cost with fans. Hearn has mentioned the rematch, but choosing someone else would leave the impression that his unbeaten fighter is leaving unfinished business behind.
Whittaker has time to improve at 29. His next fight needs to show that improvement, and beating Wallace more decisively would give Hearn something firmer to sell when the world title opportunity arrives.
