Killa is set for biggest fight

Charles ‘Killa’ Whittaker takes a step closer to a junior-middleweight world title fight in another tough contest next week.  

The West Bay bruiser is in a final eliminator against Gabriel Rosado at the Sands Casino in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on 21 September. It is televised on NBC Sports Network from 8pm Cayman time on the Main Events Fight Night card.  

The winner of the 12-round contest gets a title shot as the mandatory challenger to the current International Boxing Federation junior-middleweight world champion, Detroit’s Cornelius Bundrage, 39.  

Whittaker has 38 wins, 12 losses and two draws, including 23 knockouts since turning pro in 1993. Unbeaten in the last eight years, his victories over Keenan Collins and Cuban fighter Giorbis Barthelemy in his last two contests set him up for this bout.  

Whittaker, 38, is ranked number two by the IBF and currently holds the United States Boxing Association title at 154 pounds.  

Rosado, 26, from Philadelphia. is 20-5 with 12 knockouts since debuting in 2006. He has won his last six fights since 2010 and is ranked third by the IBF.  

Whittaker is trained by Norman Wilson and has been sparring with Keenan Collins at the Dalmain Ebanks gym in George Town.  

“Things are going good,” Killa said. “I’m getting in shape. This won’t be the first time I’m fighting someone in their hometown but at the end of the day this is where the fight is. We can’t dwell on that. I’m going there to win and preparing for whatever comes my way.  

“We’ve been assured that all the officials are totally neutral, including the ref, Steve Smoger.” 

The Premier, McKeeva Bush is one of Whittaker’s biggest fans but he won’t be at ringside, although Minister of Sports Mark Scotland will be. “Unfortunately, the Premier cannot make it which is disappointing,” said Killa. “He is going off island for a conference on government business. From my indications, Minister Scotland and Jason Harper from the TV station will be there though.”  

Whittaker and Rosado feature on a card that includes the light-heavy clash between Lionell Thompson and Russian Sergey Kovalev and Ronald Cruz against Miami’s Antwone Smith.