In terms of the United Kingdom’s most impressive prospects, Ben Whittaker does not only stand out as one of the country’s most skilful potential superstars but also one of the most famous, consistently going viral for his in-ring antics despite just eight professional bouts. Now, the Tokyo 2020 silver medallist has opened up on why he has made showboating such a recognisable part of his game.
Whittaker made his professional debut in July 2022 and has fought regularly since, seemingly going viral on each occasion and building up a following across the pond for poking fun at his opponents.
Some viewers can’t help but smirk at the confidence and defensive abilities of ‘The Surgeon’ upon watching his fights, whilst others see him as a disrespectful, pantomime villain character – either way, fans seem to make sure they tune in to his fights.
In an interview with Instant Casino, Whittaker appeared to recognise that his showboating is unnecessary but labelled it as a ‘guilty pleasure’, admitting that he enjoys fooling someone defensively as much as scoring a highlight-reel knockout.
“When I first started as a pro, I got more of a thrill making them miss and making them look silly, more than knocking them out. But now that I’ve started hitting people and hurting them a little bit, I kind of like knocking them out as well. So, I’m trying to find a balance. The best of both worlds. But that is my guilty pleasure. Making someone miss. You’re standing right in front of someone and they’re missing and you can see the frustration on their face.
“It’s kind of like when you’re at school and you’re winding somebody up. And for me, it’s great. And I love it. That’s why I got kicked out of school, for being a wind-up merchant, so I took it into the ring.”
Whittaker now sits at #11 in the WBC light-heavyweight rankings and is being hotly tipped by many to succeed on the big stage and secure a world title in the future – especially once the titles become fragmented following Beterbiev-Bivol. For now though, Whittaker is remaining patient and is focussed on boosting his popularity and beating those who are put in front of him.
“For me, all I can do is stay on my path really, keep fighting who’s in front of me, keep beating who’s in front of me and the more my popularity grows, the more people will want to fight me. And I think that’s what’s happening now. A lot of people want to fight me because one, they’re getting paid decently or two I’ve got the following. And if they’re fighting Ben Whittaker, they get the reflective glow, don’t they?
“That’s how I see it now. So, for me, I’m becoming the man, who has not even got anything, that people want to fight. So, it’s not too bad. It’s all coming together.”
Next up for Whittaker is Liam Cameron, a fellow Brit who was unfortunate to be on the wrong side of a split-decision defeat to IBF #7 Lyndon Arthur in his last outing. That contest will take place on the high-profile Beterbiev-Bivol undercard on October 12th – where Whittaker will be hoping to boost his world ranking and social media following with a ninth professional victory.
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