Whittaker will be fighting in Birmingham for the fourth time and first since winning the WBC Silver strap in November last year.

And he says being back home will be special in several ways.

“It’s amazing to be from the Midlands. I’m [from] all over the place – born in West Brom, family’s from Wolverhampton, lived in Darlaston, but it’s just big for the Midlands,” he said.

“Up and down the card, we’ve got Midland fighters. It opens the door for them and gives them a platform. It shows that the other kids, like the grassroots level, we can do it from around here.

“And it’s good to hear some local ‘Yam Yam’ or Black Country accents in the crowd!”

A win for Whittaker would, in theory, put him in pole position to challenge WBA, IBF and WBO champion Bivol next.

But with Bivol obliged to face WBO mandatory challenger Callum Smith first – or vacate the belt – it is unclear exactly when, or whether, that might take place.

Whittaker says all he can do is win and hope his promoters can sort it out.

“You never want to look too far ahead,” he said.

“Of course you’ve got to get the job done in front of you, but win this and it’s just down to Eddie Hearn and Matt Froome to see what’s out there for me because it is a tough division.

“These guys have got their belts already. They’ve probably got other fights lined up, but for me it’s just win, then you’re knocking on the door and then hopefully that door will open.”