The introductory press conference is in the books, a glossy Jerry Maguire-esque announcement video consigned to the internet archives and Ben Whittaker is in Ireland with his trainer, Andy Lee, getting on with the unglamorous but necessary part of the job.

After spending the first part of his career under the Boxxer banner, Whittaker (9-0-1, 6 KOs) will make his Matchroom debut against Germany’s Benjamin Gavazi (19-1, 13 KOs) at Birmingham's NEC Arena on November 29. The fight will be broadcast by DAZN.

Matchroom CEO Frank Smith acknowledges that the charismatic Whittaker is still far from the finished article but believes they have secured the 28-year-old light heavyweight's services at exactly the right moment.

"We want to build Ben into a global superstar and he has the ability to do that," Smith told The Ring.

"He's been in fights where I don't think the matchmaking has been great for him to date and I think he needs to progress, to develop as a fighter. He's 28 years old.

"You're not in a rush but he's only had 10 fights.

"We've got younger fighters coming through now who've got 15, 16 fights after three years so it's about doing the right job with him. It doesn't mean chucking him straight in.”

Competitive fights and domestic rivalries will always generate interest and ticket sales but genuine crossover stars like Naseem Hamed, Ricky Hatton and Anthony Joshua could have persuaded casual fans to part with money to watch them hit pads and shadowbox.

Whittaker is still a long, long way from reaching that kind of level but he does have the potential to provide British boxing - and Matchroom's stable - with a massive shot in the arm.

Whittaker's raw ability and Olympic pedigree mean that his level of opposition will attract scrutiny from hardcore fans but as long as Matchroom can persuade fans to buy into him, his celebrity and showmanship should afford him extra leeway with fans who want to witness a spectacle as well as a fight.

"He can be a superstar in the sport for the next 5-8 years, as long as he wants to be. He has to prove himself as well," Smith said.

"He has the talent. You don't go and win a medal at the Olympics if you don't have talent and he's done everything asked of him so far.

"The first Liam Cameron fight ended the way it did but he went back in there and improved in the second fight and what more can you ask for?

"But also it's whether you like him or dislike him, you're going to watch him. I've spent a lot of time with him over the years. I got to know him even when we weren't promoting him. He's a lovely guy, a real nice and respectful character.

"You need that showbiz element. You need to do things because people are talking about you, whether they're talking about whether they like you or dislike you, it's part and parcel of the game we're in."

The light heavyweight division is top heavy.

Unified WBA, WBO and IBF titleholder Dmitry Bivol and former undisputed beltholder Artur Beterbiev remain at the top of the rankings.

On November 22, WBC titleholder David Benavidez has the chance to show that he belongs in that elite company when making the first defence of his belt against two-time title challenger Anthony Yarde, headlining The Ring IV card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Matchroom should be able to guide Whittaker through a long list of contenders and, crucially, he also has a varied cast of British rivals who will provide him with invaluable experience both in and out of the ring.

There is no need for Whittaker to take any giant leaps and Smith insists that Matchroom won’t deviate from their plan.

"I honestly think 2027," he said when asked when Whittaker will be ready for world level. "I think the next 14 months is about activity. About keeping him busy, getting that momentum.

"Four fights, in 14 months. One at the end of this year, three next year and then, as we move into 2027, he steps up those ranks.

"He's got a huge profile in the US as well. He'll fight in the US next year. He'll probably have two in the UK as well so, for us, it's about building that star because he's never had the momentum and everything he's done has been off the back of what he's created."