Ben Whittaker teased a shock promotional switch to Zuffa Boxing when speaking ahead of his IBF light-heavyweight final eliminator against Conor Wallace.
Whittaker joined forced with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing following his TKO victory over Liam Cameron in April 2025, signing a long-term deal with the promotional company.
'The Surgeon' is so far unbeaten with the promotional company, defeating Richard Rivera in June to extend his record to 3-0 with Matchroom and 12-0-1 overall.
A win against Wallace this weekend would put Whittaker in line for a shot at the IBF light-heavyweight title against champion Dmitry Bivol.
Matchroom and Whittaker have enjoyed a productive partnership thus far -- with the 29-year-old cruising to a final title eliminator without fighting anyone of high pedigree -- but he was coy when questioned on his contract situation by boxing reporter Ariel Helwani.
Whittaker refused to reveal how long he has left on his existing contract with Matchroom, instead controversially changing the topic of conversation to Zuffa Boxing promoter Dana White.
He said: "It's very fascinating. I heard Dana might be in town to watch the fight maybe. That's what I hear. I have a little incline that he might be there.
"I've been invited to many [Zuffa Boxing] shows but I think if I go there I'll get in trouble. They're coming to me by the looks of it.
"We'll get him [White] a nice little royalty seat. It's only right.
"Saturday is the task ahead. Win that and then we'll sit down and see what is next."
White and Hearn have come to blows over the UFC supremo's involvement in the forthcoming Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua fight, with the Matchroom promoter hellbent on the fact that White will not be involved.
While it's proved a major stumbling block in negotiations for the colossal all-British bout, Whittaker explained why he believes the promotional feud between Hearn and White is beneficial for the sport.
He said: "I think it's good for boxing. It's good for the media, people like it.
"At the end of the day it's giving other fighters opportunities. There's nothing wrong with giving fighters opportunities and it's good for the sport.
"I think what Dana does is good, what Eddie does is good obviously, and seeing them go back and forth is good to see."
White and Hearn have clashed over the logistics behind Fury-Joshua, but could they soon be at war for Whittaker's signature?
Zuffa have recently completed the signings of Conor Benn and Johnny Fisher -- both of whom were formerly in the Matchroom stable -- and claims from Whittaker imply that they could be making a push to win over the light-heavyweight.
