British boxing has no shortage of rising personalities, but few are as instantly recognizable as Ben Whittaker. Nicknamed “The Surgeon,” the light heavyweight stands out for his flashy, showboating style and bold persona. His undefeated run and animated presence feel deliberate and so does his love for tattoos and anime.

Among his biggest influences is One Piece. The anime has left a lasting mark on Ben Whittaker, quite literally, through tattoos that define his identity. From the Whitebeard Pirates emblem on his back to the “X” scar inspired by Monkey D. Luffy, each piece reflects values he carries into the ring.

“For some reason, it blew up and it kinda helped me to where I am now. The fight where I was on ropes, all the tricks, the swaying, Ice Cube's son screenshotted the back of that and put it on Twitter and said who's this with One Piece tattoo and it blew up,” he said while promoting his upcoming fight on DAZN. The moment turned a personal choice into a viral breakthrough.

Since then, his tattoos have become part of his brand. His back ink honors Edward Newgate and his resilience, while his chest reflects Luffy’s relentless drive. Along with characters like Sasuke Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha, they mirror themes of brotherhood, discipline, and perseverance.

That same mindset now fuels his next big moment.

Ben Whittaker vs. Braian Suarez: Fight date, time, and how to watch

The fighter many are calling the future of British boxing returns to the spotlight once again as Ben Whittaker prepares to face Braian Nahuel Suarez at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena, live and exclusively on DAZN.

Ben Whittaker (10-0-1, 7 KOs) enters the bout riding strong momentum after a dominant first-round stoppage win over Benjamin Gavazi in his Matchroom debut last November. Originally slated for the co-main event, the 28-year-old now headlines the card, another sign of his rapid rise through the ranks.

Across the ring, Braian Suarez (21-4, 20 KOs) brings knockout power and confidence of his own, fresh off a second-round TKO victory over Sergio Santos Dantas on the same night as Whittaker’s last outing.

The fight is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, with DAZN’s broadcast beginning at 7pm BST (2pm ET / 11am PT). Ringwalks for the main event are expected around 9:20pm BST (4:20pm ET / 1:20pm PT). The card also features bouts like Molly McCann vs. Ashleigh Johnson and Joe McGrail vs. Aaron Hayden, adding further depth to the event.

Fans can watch the fight live on DAZN worldwide by downloading the app on their preferred device or visiting the platform online to sign up and access the event.

For Ben Whittaker, what started as a bold personal choice has evolved into a defining part of his journey. His One Piece-inspired tattoos not only helped him go viral but also connected him with a global audience that sees echoes of their favorite characters in his story.

Has One Piece played a role in shaping Ben Whittaker’s journey? Let us know in the comments!

Written by

Karishma Dasgupta

Edited by

Aliza Siddiqui