British light-heavyweight boxer Ben Whittaker has been targeted by burglars who broke into his home and stole his prized IBF belt while he was fighting live on television.
Burglary Strikes During Championship Fight
The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, November 30, while the 28-year-old athlete was in Birmingham securing a first-round knockout victory against opponent Benjamin Gavazi. Whittaker returned to his home in Wednesbury to discover a window had been smashed and his property ransacked.
Among the items taken was his International Boxing Federation (IBF) belt, a significant professional accolade. The boxer quickly took to social media to appeal for information, posting a 21-second video on his Instagram account.
'Big Reward' Offered for Information
In the emotional clip, Whittaker described the "highs and lows of the sport," confirming his house had been burgled. He directly addressed his local community, stating: "Wednesbury, I've got a big, big reward. Find these people, let me know. They've even took my IBF belt - what are they gonna do with that?"
He urged anyone with information to contact him via direct message, repeating his offer of a substantial reward for details leading to the recovery of his property and the identification of those responsible.
Police Investigation Underway
West Midlands Police have confirmed they are investigating the break-in, which happened shortly after midnight. The force issued an initial statement appealing for witnesses and provided a fresh update on Monday, December 1.
A police spokesperson told BirminghamLive: "Enquiries are ongoing. No updates at the moment." The crime reference number for the incident is 20/459973/25.
Authorities have urged the public to assist with the investigation through several channels:
- Calling police on 101 and quoting the crime reference number.
- Using the live chat facility on the West Midlands Police website.
- Contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
The burglary has cast a shadow over Whittaker's professional triumph, highlighting the vulnerability of public figures. The search for the perpetrators and the missing championship belt continues.
