The highly anticipated Dillian Whyte vs. Jermaine Franklin heavyweight clash on November 26, 2022, at Wembley Arena in London, England, featured a compelling undercard showcasing a mix of established prospects and exciting debutants. The main event saw Dillian Whyte emerge victorious over Jermaine Franklin via a majority decision, with scorecards reading 115-115, 116-112, and 116-112. This outcome, however, proved controversial, with many observers scoring the fight as a draw or even in favor of Franklin. Beyond the main event, the undercard delivered significant action, providing crucial tests and platforms for several promising fighters looking to make their mark in the professional ranks.
Cruiserweight Action: Cheavon Clarke’s Dominant Performance
One of the most anticipated bouts on the undercard featured 2020 Olympian Cheavon Clarke (3-0) taking on Argentina’s Jose Gregorio Ulrich (17-5) in an 8-round cruiserweight contest. Clarke, with an impressive start to his professional career, had amassed three knockouts in his three pro bouts that year, demonstrating an exciting style and a clear intention to rapidly ascend the ranks. Prior to this fight, Clarke’s professional debut was in March 2022. His opponent, Jose Gregorio Ulrich, brought a wealth of experience, having held the WBC Latino title from 2016 to 2018, successfully defending it four times. Ulrich was known for his durability, having extended world-rated fighters such as Mateusz Masternak and Mike Perez over six rounds in his two most recent contests before facing Clarke. The decision to pit the 3-0 Clarke against a seasoned opponent like Ulrich was widely seen as a significant statement of intent from Clarke’s camp.
The fight itself proved to be a powerful display from Clarke. He secured a decisive victory, stopping Ulrich by TKO in the second round. This win advanced Clarke’s undefeated record to 4-0. Since then, Clarke has continued his impressive trajectory in the cruiserweight division. His current professional record stands at 11 wins, 2 losses, and 0 draws, with 8 of his victories coming by knockout. He captured the vacant WBA Inter-Continental Cruiserweight title in January 2024 and followed that by winning the British cruiserweight title in May 2024. However, Clarke experienced his first professional defeat in December 2024, losing a split decision to Leonardo Mosquea for the vacant European cruiserweight title. He later lost his British title to Viddal Riley in April 2025. Jose Gregorio Ulrich’s career concluded after his loss to Clarke, with his final professional record standing at 17 wins, 6 losses, and 0 draws.
Welterweight Showcase: Pat McCormack’s Technical Victory
Another highly anticipated bout featured 2020 Olympic silver medallist Pat McCormack (2-0) against Argentina’s Christian Nicols Andino (16-5-2) in a 6-round welterweight encounter. McCormack, widely regarded as one of the brightest talents in British and world boxing, had an illustrious amateur career. He competed at 69kg (152lbs), winning Gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the 2019 European championships, in addition to his Olympic silver medal. McCormack made his professional debut in March 2022 and signed a promotional contract with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing in October 2022. His opponent, Christian Nicols Andino, was a former WBA Fedebol champion who had only been stopped once in 23 professional outings, suggesting a tough learning fight for McCormack on paper.
McCormack demonstrated his class, securing a victory over Andino by points decision after six rounds. This win extended McCormack’s undefeated record to 3-0. Since then, McCormack has continued to build his professional career, which currently stands at 8 wins, 1 loss, and 0 draws, with 6 knockouts. His first professional defeat came on December 6, 2025, when he was stopped by Conah Walker via knockout in the 12th round. Christian Nicols Andino, after facing McCormack, continued to compete, with his record now showing 18 wins, 11 losses, and 2 draws.
Middleweight Prospects: Dickinson and Liddard Shine
The middleweight division also saw action with two significant bouts. Highly touted, Ben Davison-trained prospect Mark Dickinson (3-0) met fellow Brit Gideon Onyenani (4-2) over 6 rounds. Dickinson, an eight-time national amateur champion and Team GB sensation, had recently signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing in late October 2022. The 23-year-old North-East middleweight was considered one of the country’s best prospects, with many believing he was destined to win a world championship at 160-pounds. His opponent, Gideon Onyenani, had previously demonstrated his resilience by extending 2020 Olympic gold medalist Herbert Sousa Conceicao the full six-round distance on the November 11 Sunny Edwards-Felix Alvarado undercard.
Mark Dickinson secured a victory over Gideon Onyenani by points decision after six rounds, moving his record to 4-0. Dickinson has since progressed, and his current professional record stands at 8 wins, 2 losses, and 0 draws, with 2 knockouts. He claimed the English super-middleweight title in March 2025. However, he was later stripped of this title in September 2025 after failing to make weight for his defense against Troy Williamson, a fight he subsequently lost by TKO in the ninth round. Gideon Onyenani’s record now stands at 7 wins, 5 losses, and 1 draw. He notably fought to a draw with Sam Gilley in June 2025.
Making his professional debut was 4x national champion and ‘Matchroom Elite’ gym member George Liddard, who faced Bosnia and Herzegovina’s career journeyman Nikola Matic (18-50) over 4 rounds at middleweight. Liddard’s professional debut had been anticipated earlier, as he was scheduled to fight on the Eubank Jr vs Benn undercard before its postponement.
George Liddard made a spectacular professional debut, stopping Nikola Matic by TKO in the second round of their scheduled four-round contest. Liddard has since maintained an undefeated record, currently standing at 14 wins, 0 losses, and 0 draws, with 8 knockouts. He has rapidly climbed the ranks, becoming the youngest British and Commonwealth middleweight champion in October 2025 by stopping Kieron Conway in the tenth round. In March 2026, Liddard successfully defended his British and Commonwealth titles and also claimed the vacant IBF Intercontinental middleweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Tyler Denny. Nikola Matic, a veteran journeyman, continued his career until 2025, with his final record showing 19 wins, 58 losses, and 0 draws.
The Whyte vs. Franklin undercard proved to be a significant event for these emerging talents, offering them crucial exposure and allowing them to demonstrate their skills on a large platform. The subsequent careers of Clarke, McCormack, Dickinson, and Liddard highlight the success of Matchroom Boxing’s strategy in nurturing young prospects and providing them with the challenges necessary for their development in the professional boxing world.
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