Image source, Boxxer

Just three years after winning silver at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo - the event took place in 2021 due to the covid-19 pandemic - Ben Whittaker has seven wins under his belt as a professional and is blowing up on social media due to his flashy, showboating style.

'The Surgeon', as he's known, divides opinions for the way he dances around the ring during exchanges and showcases his lightning-quick reactions.

Whittaker has stopped five of his seven opponents, including a knockout win against Khalid Graidia in February.

After that victory, Whittaker woke up to millions of hits on his Instagram account.

Just 24 hours after he posted the first video,, external Whittaker gained over 100,000 followers on Instagram. By March, his follower count had reached 1m, and he has since passed the 2m mark.

"I've been doing this style since I was a kid and out of nowhere my socials all went crazy," Whittaker told BBC Sport.

"You can't complain, it is good, but I'm just being myself. I won't change for no-one and as long as I get the job done that's all that matters."

Read more here.

Image source, BOXXER

Talk about shooting your shot.

Ezra Arenyeka isn't a name that too many are familiar with and that goes for tonight's opponent Ben Whittaker who hadn't heard of his rival until March.

Nigeria-born Arenyeka, who is unbeaten in 12 fights with 10 victories inside the distance, has spent the majority of his career competing in Africa - eight took place in Nigeria and one in Ghana.

He's also fought in Colombia, the Netherlands and back in 2022 he picked up a win in Bolton.

Arenyeka, keen to take his light-heavyweight career to the next level, crashed a news conference in March to call out Whittaker, who was preparing to take on Leon Willings.

And Arenyeka's plan has worked to perfection as he attempts to become the first man to land a defeat on Whittaker tonight.

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport journalist at Selhurst Park

I was with my friend Sam on Friday evening as he took a work call in his car. “Yep, we’ll check the KPI’s and make a counter-offer on Monday,” he told his colleague Lauren.

Earlier that day, I’d been at a boxing weigh-in and saw Ben Whittaker grab the throat of opponent Ezra Arenyeka, who moments later threw women’s underwear at Whittaker’s head. I then had to type this all up for the BBC Sport website.

Different worlds.

Image source, BOXXER

There was no shortage of fireworks at the weigh-ins on Friday.

It mainly come from the two fighters involved in the co-main event - Ben Whittaker and Ezra Arenyeka.

British Olympic silver medallist Whittaker grabbed Nigeria-born Arenyeka by the throat after being goaded when they faced off.

As security intervened, Arenyeka then threw women's underwear at Whittaker.

"At the end of the day, he's coming with his energy," a dumbfounded Whittaker, 27, said.

"It's all nervous energy. Tomorrow's the day. Tomorrow's judgement day."

Tonight's main event at Selhurst Park is scheduled for a 22:00 (BST) ring walk.

That is perhaps earlier than many would have expected for this WBO world cruiserweight title fight.

First up though we have the co-main event between Ben Whittaker and Ezra Arenyeka.

The football season might be over but the Crystal Palace mascot still needs to earn a living Kal!

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport journalist at Selhurst Park

This is the first time a mascot has assisted in handing me my accreditation before a fight.

We've already had one shock tonight as Dan Azeez drew his comeback fight against Hrvoje Sep. The Londoner was fighting for the first time since losing his perfect record to Joshua Buatsi in February.

It wasn't the night he would have hoped for, as he drew with Croatian underdog Hrvoje Sep.

Meanwhile Jack Massey beat Isaac Chamberlain via a unanimous points decision to become the new EBU European and Commonwealth cruiserweight champion.

Check out the rest of the results below!

Cruiserweight: Jack Massey def. Isaac Chamberlain - points

Light-heavyweight: Dan Azeez v Hrvoje Sep - draw

Bantamweight: Francesca Hennessy def. Dorota Norek - points

Cruiserweight: Deevorn Miller def. Edwin Mosquera - technical knockout, round one

Middleweight: Mitchell Frearson def. Marco Simmonds - points

Heavyweight: Lewie Pochetty def. Tobie Vermerie - knockout, round one

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith found some time in a busy fight week to build his ultimate fighter for BBC Sport.

George Groves' jab, Floyd Mayweather's IQ, David Haye's power and a tip of the hat to his cherished football team Bournemouth.

You can see his picks in the video below.

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport journalist at Selhurst Park

Does anyone have a towel?

It’s been raining on and off throughout the day in South East London. There is no cover for the press or fans. It's sunny at the moment, but dare I not risk putting my laptop down or using the power.

There is a media centre so we will be relocated if the rain returns.

After tonight, I'm less confident about that summer wedding I've booked for next year.

Image source, Getty Images

Ready for another world title fight? It seems you've come to the right place.

Chris Billam-Smith makes the second defence of his WBO cruiserweight title shortly in a rematch against British rival Richard Riakporhe.

Billam-Smith suffered the only defeat of his career, losing on points, when he met Riakporhe for the first time in 2019 but there's so much more at stake this time around.

Leaving Selhurst Park with the title is the main ambition for both fighters and the winner will also be in a strong position to look towards a unification bout.

Let's not forget about bragging rights too in this all-British title showdown!