Ben Whittaker has paid respect to the man many are comparing him to, ‘Prince’ Naseem Hamed.
Whittaker is just 25-years-old and has only three professional fights under his belt, but many have already labeled him as the brightest British prospect around. Like Hamed, he certainly doesn’t lack confidence, often seen dancing around the ring and showboating to those at ringside during his fights.
The showboating from @BenGWhittaker 🌟😳 pic.twitter.com/KuSuax5BbE
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) May 6, 2023
With power in both hands, Naz retired with a record of 35 wins, 31 coming by knockout and just the one defeat to Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera.
‘The Prince’ will go down in history as not only one of Britain’s greatest ever boxers but undoubtedly one of the most entertaining. His ring walks are legendary and include entering on a flying carpet, a throne and a full rendition of Michael Jackson’s Thriller.
Whittaker paid homage to the man he’s being compared to by mimicking Naseem’s ring walk against Kevin Kelley. The fight was the British legend’s American debut and he wanted to make a name for himself stateside, forcing his opponent to wait for a full five minutes as he danced behind a screen.
Thankfully Whittaker didn’t make Jordan Grant, the man he was facing, wait as long, but gave fans a glimpse of his dance moves.
What a ringwalk from @BenGWhittaker! Naseem Hamed inspired 🔥✨ pic.twitter.com/traxi5aEoz
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) May 6, 2023
The young talent had his man down in the second with a straight right and Grant did well to survive the round.
KNOCKDOWN! Ben Whittaker drops Jordan Grant 😱 pic.twitter.com/RX7PeMr64D
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) May 6, 2023
Grant was down again in the third after being on the receiving end of a short left hand and the corner threw in the towel.
BEN WHITTAKER = PURE ENTERTAINMENT 🌟
He finishes Jordan Grant in round 3 🔥 pic.twitter.com/mmhAiUbjU4
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) May 6, 2023
Whittaker moves to 3-0 with 2 knockouts in his fledgling career.