Ben Whittaker's flashy showboating is set to remain an integral part of his boxing arsenal, despite having recently secured three consecutive knockout victories in quick succession. Whittaker, who won a silver medal at the Olympics, initially gained widespread recognition as a professional fighter due to his unorthodox and entertaining fighting style. However, his recent wins have been so rapid that he hasn't had the opportunity to showcase his signature showboating.
Since his highly disputed draw with Liam Cameron, Whittaker has emerged victorious in three fights, all of which lasted two rounds or less. He successfully avenged his draw with Cameron in the second round of their rematch and then went on to defeat Benjamin Gavazi and Braian Suarez, both of whom he knocked out in the first round. Whittaker has stated that he will take his opponents out quickly if the opportunity arises, but also acknowledges that his showboating is an essential aspect of his style.
"If the shot is there, I'll take it," Whittaker told Sky Sports. "I've been working on sitting on my shots, punching through the target, and causing damage." Whittaker's trainer, Andy Lee, is also aware of the unique nature of Whittaker's style, which the fighter believes can be a key factor in his success.
"When I'm disciplined, I'm a great boxer too," Whittaker said. "It's just a matter of finding the right balance and knowing when to use my showboating and when not to." Whittaker draws inspiration from amateur fighters like Cuba's Julio Cesar La Cruz, who would often win rounds without throwing many punches, instead relying on their ability to evade their opponents' attacks. "That's the beauty of boxing - being able to win a round with just a couple of jabs and making your opponent miss," Whittaker said. "That's when you have complete domination." Whittaker's unorthodox style has drawn criticism from some, with some labeling it as disrespectful.
However, Whittaker sees it as a unique art form that sets him apart from other fighters. "It's just a different way of doing things," he said. "A lot of great fighters have had their own styles, and I've just got my own way of doing things." Whittaker is expected to fight in the US this summer before returning to the UK, where a potential matchup with a domestic rival like Joshua Buatsi or Anthony Yarde could be on the cards. "Domestic clashes are what the fans want to see," Whittaker said.
"As a fan myself, I used to love watching fights like Groves vs. Froch - they were the ones that got you out of your seat."