Ben Whittaker is well known for his showboating antics in the ring and while some fans and fellow boxers rate it, one form world champion has now come out and branded him ‘disrespectful.’
The flashy light heavyweight has quickly made his mark on the sport since turning pro after the Olympics. He is best known for his outlandish ring attire, flamboyant ring walks and for the way he teases and taints opponents with his behaviour during fights.
He is now 26 years old and has a record of 7-0 as a pro, but one potential future opponent and former world champion Callum Smith doesn’t find it all that enjoyable to watch.
Speaking to Up Front with Simon Jordan, Smith explained his view on the subject and his first criticism was that Whittaker is doing it against low-level opponents.
“Ben Whittaker’s antics aren’t my cup of tea. He’s trying to be like Naseem Hamed but Naz was doing it at Madison Square Garden in world title fights, not against journeymen.
“I do think he is a great talent, he’s a very good fighter and I think he’ll go to the top. He just needs to do the basics a bit better and get rid of his opponents. If he can do that at the highest level with all of his showboating as well then fair play.
“At the moment he’s only doing it against journeymen who have finished their days work and then gone to be an opponent for him. They’re there to help him out, not to beat him – I think it is disrespectful.
“Prince Naseem did it at the highest level, but then again he was a one-off. I think he should just go about his business at the moment, but talent-wise he is a very good fighter and will go to the highest level.”
Smith then recognised that the showboating has certainly helped Whittaker grow his profile much quicker than some of his peers and gave him credit for the boxing that has come with it.
“He is well known now compared to the other Olympians because of his character and although he is showboating, he is putting in good performances as well. Who am I to tell him to stop?”
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