British boxer Ben Whittaker experienced a shocking turn of events this weekend, returning home from a spectacular victory to discover his Wednesbury property had been burgled.
From Triumph to Tragedy
The 28-year-old Olympic silver medallist had just delivered a stunning performance at Birmingham's NEC Arena on Saturday, November 29, 2025. Whittaker achieved a first-round knockout against German opponent Benjamin Gavazi in his highly anticipated Matchroom debut, with the bout lasting just 135 seconds and being broadcast to audiences worldwide.
However, the celebration was cut short when the Black Country athlete returned home to find his property targeted by thieves. A window had been smashed, and among the stolen items was his prestigious IBF light-heavyweight international belt, which he had held since June 2024.
Boxer's Public Appeal
Whittaker took to social media to share his frustration, posting a 21-second video on his Instagram account. "Highs and lows of the sports," the boxer said in the clip. "Come back, house has been burgled but Wednesbury, I've got a big, big reward."
The Tokyo 2020 silver medallist made a direct appeal to his community, asking: "Find these people, let me know. They've even took my IBF belt - what are they gonna do with that?" Whittaker offered a substantial reward for information leading to the recovery of his stolen property, encouraging people to contact him via direct message.
Dominant Victory Overshadowed
The burglary completely overshadowed what should have been a purely celebratory moment for the rising boxing star. His dominant win over Gavazi saw him drop his opponent early in the first round before finishing with a powerful right-hand knockout.
This marked Whittaker's first fight since signing with promotion company Matchroom, making the professional victory particularly significant for his career trajectory. The theft of his IBF International light-heavyweight title belt represents both a personal and professional loss for the athlete.
West Midlands Police have been informed of the incident and are investigating the burglary, which occurred while Whittaker was competing in Birmingham.
