Ben Whittaker, the Olympic silver medallist, has no intention of abandoning his crowd-pleasing showboating style, despite recently securing three consecutive knockout victories in quick succession. Whittaker's unorthodox approach to boxing, which has drawn comparisons to some of the sport's all-time greats, is a deliberate ploy to outmaneuver his opponents and assert his dominance in the ring.
"When the opportunity arises to finish the fight, I'll take it," Whittaker explained in an interview with Sky Sports. "I've been focusing on perfecting my technique, sitting on my shots, and inflicting damage on my opponents." Whittaker's trainer, Andy Lee, is well aware of the unique benefits and challenges that come with his fighter's distinctive style. "It's a question of striking the right balance between discipline and flair," Whittaker noted.
"When I'm able to marry the two, I become a formidable boxer." Whittaker draws inspiration from the likes of Cuban boxer Julio Cesar La Cruz, who would often win rounds without throwing a single punch, instead relying on his ring generalship and ability to make his opponents miss. "That, to me, is the essence of boxing – being able to control the tempo of the fight and dictate the outcome with precision and finesse," Whittaker said. "It's an art form that requires patience, strategy, and a deep understanding of the sport." While some critics have accused Whittaker of being disrespectful, he sees his approach as a refreshing change of pace in a sport that often values brute force over finesse. "I'm not trying to be disrespectful; I'm simply trying to bring a new dimension to the sport," Whittaker explained.
"Boxing is an art form, and like any art form, it's open to interpretation." With his sights set on a summer bout in the US, followed by a potential showdown with a domestic rival in the UK, Whittaker is eager to put his skills to the test against the best fighters in the world. "A matchup against someone like Joshua Buatsi or Anthony Yarde would be ideal," Whittaker said.
"Those are the kinds of fights that get people excited, and I believe I have the skills and the charisma to make it happen."