Ben Whittaker promises showboating can lead to 'complete domination'

Ben Whittaker plans to keep showboating even as his knockout streak builds momentum.

The Olympic silver medallist has won three consecutive fights in two rounds or less, including first-round stoppages of Benjamin Gavazi and Braian Suarez, but told Sky Sports the defensive showmanship that made him a viral sensation remains central to his style. "When I can be disciplined I'm a great boxer, too. So it's just marrying the two. Knowing when to do it, when not to do it," he said.

Whittaker draws inspiration from Cuban amateur stars

Whittaker pointed to Cuban fighters like Julio Cesar La Cruz, who would win amateur rounds without landing punches, as the foundation for his approach. "That's when you've got complete domination," he said, per Sky Sports. "I fell in love with that style." He compared his movement to legends like Willie Pep, George Benton, and Pernell Whitaker, calling it "a different art" rather than disrespect.

Since his controversial draw with Liam Cameron, when he tumbled out of the ring and could not continue, Whittaker has sharpened his finishing instincts. He stopped Cameron in the rematch's second round last year and has since dispatched two opponents inside a round. "If the shot's there to take them out, I'll take it," he said.

Whittaker is expected to fight in the United States this summer before returning to the UK. He named Joshua Buatsi and Anthony Yarde as potential domestic opponents by year's end, saying those matchups recall the George Groves–Carl Froch rivalry that captivated British fans. "They were the ones that got you out of your seat," he said.

Source: skysports.com