Trainer Peter Fury has emphasized the importance of addressing the defensive shortcomings of up-and-coming light heavyweight talent, Ben Whittaker. As he progresses to face tougher opponents on the global stage, Whittaker’s vulnerabilities could prove detrimental to his success.
Whittaker’s recent triumph over 41-year-old veteran Khalid Graidia (10-14-5, 2 KOs) garnered praise from numerous spectators. The 2020 Olympic silver medalist showcased his skills with a fifth-round knockout victory, captivating the audience at London’s Wembley Arena.
Whittaker exhibited a display of showmanship, twirling around and delivering punches from unexpected angles, leaving his clearly outmatched opponent feeling humiliated. It is concerning, however, to witness a talented Olympian like Whittaker squaring off against a 41-year-old journeyman.
During his amateur career, Whittaker faced defeat at the hands of Cuban Arlen Lopez in the 2020 Olympics. In 2019, Uzbek Dilshodbek Ruzmetov easily outperformed Whittaker, repeatedly landing powerful straight lefts and catching him off guard. Against Ruzmetov, Whittaker’s only real response was resorting to rabbit punches during clinches.
Even to this day, if they were to meet in the ring, Ruzmetov would likely emerge victorious as Whittaker has shown little improvement since his amateur days. His fighting style remains unchanged, albeit with added showboating, perhaps due to the lackluster opposition he has faced.
“He possesses undeniable talent, but it is still early in his career. He is becoming more patient with his shots, generating greater power,” commented Peter Fury in an interview with iFL TV, discussing the potential of light heavyweight prospect Ben Whittaker.
However, there is a significant issue that needs addressing. Whittaker tends to retract his hands with a lowered guard, a strategy that would prove ineffective in high-level fights. Despite his exceptional reflexes, they will not be sufficient when facing opponents who can feint, launch a second attack to the body, and swiftly transition to the head, catching him off guard every time,” remarked John regarding Ben Whittaker.
Whittaker’s promoters are not doing him any favors by pitting him against such subpar opponents, treating him as if he has no experience in the amateur ranks. If he were signed with a prominent promotional company like Top Rank or Matchroom, he would face more formidable adversaries.
Against these tougher opponents, Whittaker would not be able to engage in showboating as they would consistently land powerful straight shots, leaving no room for playful antics.
“He will inevitably get caught. His evasive maneuvers are exceptional, but they are currently being tested against opponents who are not of the same caliber. He possesses immense talent, but he must prioritize improving his defense,” noted Peter.
Slipping and sliding may work against these lesser opponents, but it will not suffice on the world stage. Whittaker must keep his guard up, block incoming shots, and respond accordingly instead of relying solely on evasive maneuvers. As he progresses to higher levels of competition, he will find himself lacking in these areas. Pulling out in straight lines, as he often does, will prove to be a disadvantage.
For some unknown reason, Whittaker’s promoter is keeping him in the slow lane. Typically, Olympians are matched against more formidable opponents right from the start, but this is not the case for Whittaker, raising concerns.
“Let us focus on the positives. He is now planting his feet and generating power in his shots. There have been improvements. He is evolving as a young fighter,” Peter acknowledged.
“While there are still weaknesses that need to be addressed, if he can rectify them, his future looks incredibly promising,” Peter emphasized in regard to Whittaker’s potential.