Ben Whittaker could be 'close' to Joshua Buatsi fight after US debut against Richard Rivera in New York

Ben Whittaker could be on a collision course with Joshua Buatsi as he sharpens his skills for a world title fight.

The unbeaten British contender makes his US debut against Richard Rivera on the Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis bill in New York in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Promoter Eddie Hearn believes Whittaker is 'three fights' away from challenging the light-heavyweight world title holders, and a big domestic clash against fellow Englishman Buatsi or Scotland's Willy Hutchinson could happen later this year.