Ben Whittaker's flashy showboating has become a hallmark of his boxing career, despite his recent string of quick knockout victories. The Olympic silver medalist initially gained fame for his extravagant displays of showmanship in the ring.
However, his recent fights have been characterized by swift knockouts, leaving little room for his signature showboating. Whittaker has won his last three fights in two rounds or less, including a second-round victory over Liam Cameron and first-round knockouts of Benjamin Gavazi and Braian Suarez. "If the opportunity arises to finish the fight, I'll take it," Whittaker explained.
"I've been focusing on perfecting my technique, punching with precision, and inflicting damage." Whittaker's trainer, Andy Lee, is aware of the unique aspect of his style, which Whittaker believes sets him apart. "When I'm disciplined, I'm a skilled boxer as well. It's about finding the right balance and knowing when to use each approach," Whittaker said. He plans to utilize his showboating as an additional tool to achieve success in the sport.
Whittaker draws inspiration from amateur boxing, where fighters like Julio Cesar La Cruz would win rounds by making their opponents miss, demonstrating "complete domination." Whittaker is enamored with this style, which he believes is a distinctive art form. "Many people view it as disrespectful, but it's simply a different approach. It's like knocking someone out - it's another aspect of the sport," he said. Whittaker aims to use this unique style to his advantage, citing legendary fighters like Willie Pep, George Benton, and Pernell Whitaker as examples of those who have successfully developed their own distinctive approaches.
Following his victory over Suarez, Whittaker is expected to fight in the US this summer before returning to the UK, potentially facing domestic rivals like Joshua Buatsi or Anthony Yarde by the end of the year. "Fans want to see domestic matchups, so something like that in England would be ideal," Whittaker stated.
"As a fan, I used to watch fights like Groves vs. Froch, which were exhilarating.
If I could replicate that kind of excitement, it would be great, but everyone has their own path to follow."