Ben Whittaker vs Braian Suarez: UK Time, Ringwalks & Odds

Updated 17 April, 2026, 16:00 BST

Ben Whittaker (10-0-1, 7 KOs) faces Braian Suarez (21-4, 20 KOs) on Saturday 18 April at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena, live on DAZN.

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Whittaker steps up as main event after Callum Smith was ruled out of his WBO Interim Light Heavyweight title fight with David Morrell through injury.

UK ringwalks are expected at approximately 10:00 PM BST. Check the latest light heavyweight rankings to see where Whittaker sits heading into fight week.

Collins vs Lorente 2 and Whittaker vs Suarez DAZN boxing fight poster April 2026

This will be only the third time Whittaker has topped a professional bill, and the first time he has headlined in front of a Liverpool crowd.

Some UK fans may be asking who is Suarez? He has been here before, he fought Lyndon Arthur at the same weight for the IBO World Light Heavyweight title in September 2023, losing by KO in round 10, and returned to European soil for a WBA Gold title shot against Sharabutdin Ataev in Russia the following year, losing by TKO in round 2.

Two world-level opportunities in the space of 13 months, both ending in stoppages. That context matters: Suarez is a heavy-hitting gatekeeper who enters the ring with genuine ambition, but his level has already been tested and found.

Key facts for Whittaker vs Suarez

SPLIT–DECISION.CO.UK
Light Heavyweight · DAZN
Whittaker
10-0-1 (7 KOs)
W W D W W
VS
Suarez
21-4 (20 KOs)
L W L W W
Saturday 18th April 2026 · M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
Knockout Comparison — 27 Combined KOs
7
Whittaker
Suarez
20
28 Age 33
6’3″ Height 6’0″
75″ Reach N/A
Orthodox Stance Orthodox
70% KO % 95%
Whittaker
TKO Rounds 5–7
Confidence: 80%
Whittaker
Draw
Suarez
best odds:
1/14 (93%)
25/1
8/1 (11%)
fair odds:
1/12
28/1
9/1

Ben Whittaker vs Braian Suarez Undercard

All undercard fights confirmed by Matchroom Boxing.

Ben Whittaker vs Braian Suarez Odds: Who Is Favourite to Win?

Whittaker is a very heavy favourite heading in to the fight, with most bookmakers pricing him in the region of 1/14 to 1/20. Suarez is available at around 8/1.

These odds reflect the gap in activity, quality of opposition, and physical tools; Whittaker is three inches taller, seven years younger, and has never been stopped, while Suarez has been halted twice in his last three fights at world level.

That said, Suarez’s 95% KO rate is genuine. He does not come to box off the back foot for twelve rounds, and if Whittaker gets careless in the middle rounds, as his showboating style occasionally invites, there is power there to punish him.

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Ben Whittaker vs Braian Suarez fight poster showing date, venue M&S Bank Arena Liverpool, and ringwalk time around 10PM BST on 18 April 2026

Ben Whittaker vs Braian Suarez Tale of the Tape

Ben Whittaker:

Braian Suarez:

Ben Whittaker Recent Form

Braian Suarez Recent Form

Ben Whittaker vs Braian Suarez UK fight time and How to Watch

Whittaker vs Suarez is the main event on the April 18 Liverpool card, with ringwalks expected at around 9:20 PM BST. DAZN’s UK coverage is scheduled to begin at approximately 7:00 PM BST, with the televised undercard running through the evening.

The full card is live on DAZN, which requires a subscription. DAZN currently lists Monthly Flex Standard at £19.99 and Monthly Flex Ultimate at £24.99 in the UK, while annual options are also available. For what else is coming up on the platform, check our boxing schedule for everything confirmed through the rest of 2026.

If you are already a subscriber, no extra purchase is needed for this event. For what else is coming up on the platform, check our boxing schedule for everything confirmed through the rest of 2026.

Our Analysts Prediction

Whittaker needs a performance here, not just a result. With a US debut reportedly being planned for later in 2026, a laboured decision win over Suarez does him no favours.

The tactical keys are straightforward: use the jab, stay disciplined through the first four rounds while Suarez hunts for something big, then break him down once the early power fades.

Suarez is stoppable, Arthur proved that and Whittaker has the hand speed and footwork to find the openings without taking unnecessary risks.

Split Decision backs Whittaker to win by TKO, rounds 5-7. Suarez will make it competitive early, but the size and class gap catches up with him before the final bell.

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