Ben Whittaker needs to “quiet the doubters” in an instantaneous rematch with Liam Cameron.
Whittaker’s October contest with Cameron led to a weird draw when each tumbled over the ropes and crashed out of the ring.
Accidents to his ankle and neck meant Whittaker was unable to proceed with the battle. The competition went to the scorecards and the technical resolution resulted in a draw.
Criticism, gleefully stoked by Cameron, was subsequently heaped on Whittaker, who made his title successful an Olympic silver medal in 2021 and by sprinkling outrageous showboating into his skilled bouts.
However Whittaker will not shrink back from a second battle with the unheralded Cameron.
The Toe2Toe staff talk about Ben Whittaker’s efficiency in opposition to Liam Cameron final Saturday
He’s decided to “quiet the doubters”. His goal is the rematch, with no interim bouts.
“I need it. I believe it is the precise factor subsequent,” declared Whittaker, talking at an open exercise forward of IBA’s Champions Evening.
“I do not make excuses – I went to the Olympics with a torn rotator cuff and nobody heard me point out it earlier than, nobody actually heard me point out it after so I am not going to start out [with] ‘oh my ankle,'” he added.
“It occurs. I could not proceed, however once I go and beat him within the subsequent battle, I am going to have rather a lot to say then.”
Liam Cameron was livid with the judges after his battle with Ben Whittaker was scored a technical draw
On the primary battle, he mirrored: “I did not carry out the most effective on the night time which I wished to.
“Honest play to him, he is acquired a profession off the again of it.
“For me, on the finish of the day, I took just a little time without work and I am centered and I am excited.”
Whittaker continued: “You by no means know what he’ll do, along with his promotional deal now he might need a distinct route [in mind], would possibly assume: ‘I do not want that now.’
“However after the again of that, the best way folks have been speaking, it is solely proper. I simply wish to proper that improper, present how good I’m and transfer on to the subsequent.”
Ben Whittaker left the ring in a wheelchair after he sustained an ankle harm falling by means of the ropes throughout his battle with Liam Cameron
‘Anticipate him to do a job in rematch’
Cheavon Clarke, European title challenger and Whittaker’s Olympic team-mate, advised Sky Sports activities: “I do know, from my time spent with him on the squad, that he’ll wish to come again and show to all people that I am the man. I’m what I used to be displaying. Hopefully his accidents are rapidly recovered and he is in a position to get again in and do what he does greatest.
“I would anticipate him to carry out and do a great job in a rematch. From what I do know of Ben I might anticipate him to do a strong job. However Liam turned up and he did his factor on the night time so credit score the place credit score’s due.
“That is the battle recreation. It is completely different. Whenever you’re an beginner that is boxing. Whenever you flip skilled it is the battle recreation. It is what you join.”
