Ben Whittaker's flashy showboating has become a hallmark of his boxing career, and he plans to continue showcasing this unique aspect of his fighting style. Whittaker, an Olympic silver medalist, initially gained attention for his extravagant displays of showmanship in the ring. However, his recent string of quick knockout victories has left little room for such antics. Since his disputed draw with Liam Cameron, Whittaker has won three consecutive fights in two rounds or less, including a second-round victory over Cameron in their rematch and first-round knockouts of Benjamin Gavazi and Braian Suarez.
According to Whittaker, "If the opportunity arises to finish the fight quickly, I'll take it. I've been working on perfecting my technique, focusing on powerful punches that can hurt my opponents." Whittaker believes that his showboating is an integral part of his style, which he has developed over the years.
"My trainer, Andy Lee, recognizes that my style is distinct and unconventional. When I can balance discipline with my creative approach, I become a formidable boxer," Whittaker explained. He intends to utilize his showboating as a strategic tool to outmaneuver his opponents and ascend to the top of the sport.
Whittaker draws inspiration from amateur boxing, particularly the style of Cuban boxer Julio Cesar La Cruz, who could win rounds without throwing many punches, simply by making his opponents miss. "I find beauty in being able to win a round with just a couple of jabs and making my opponent miss, which is the ultimate form of domination," Whittaker said.
While some critics view his showboating as disrespectful, Whittaker sees it as a unique art form, comparable to the distinctive styles of boxing legends like Willie Pep, George Benton, and Pernell Whitaker. Following his victory over Suarez, Whittaker is expected to fight in the US this summer before returning to the UK, where a potential matchup against a domestic rival like Joshua Buatsi or Anthony Yarde could be on the horizon. "Fans want to see domestic clashes, so a fight like that in England would be ideal," Whittaker said, citing the epic battles between British boxers like George Groves and Carl Froch as inspiration.