Ben Whittaker's flashy showboating is set to remain an integral part of his boxing approach, 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 secured three consecutive wins in two rounds or less, including a second-round victory over Liam Cameron and first-round knockouts of Benjamin Gavazi and Braian Suarez.
He attributes his rapid wins to his focus on 'sitting on the shots, punching through the target, hurting them.' While his showboating has been absent in recent fights, Whittaker emphasizes that it is a unique aspect of his style, one that he believes can be a valuable asset in his pursuit of success. 'When I can be disciplined, I'm a great boxer too,' he noted. Whittaker draws inspiration from amateur fighters like Cuba's Julio Cesar La Cruz, who could win rounds without throwing many punches, simply by making their opponents miss.
This approach, he believes, is the key to 'complete domination.' Whittaker's intention is to use his showboating as a tool to outmaneuver his opponents and rise to the top of the sport. He acknowledges that his style may be perceived as disrespectful by some, but views it as a distinct art form. Whittaker aims to box in the US this summer and then return to the UK, with a potential domestic matchup against Joshua Buatsi or Anthony Yarde later in the year.
He hopes to recreate the excitement of classic British boxing rivalries, citing the likes of George Groves and Carl Froch as inspirations.