Ben Whittaker appeared to taunt Liam Cameron’s corner after securing a dominant victory on Sunday. Do you think his celebration was justified or did he go too far?
Whittaker silenced his critics with a commanding performance as he defeated Cameron in the second round, marking a significant moment in his career.
Accused of ‘quitting’ during their previous encounter in October, Whittaker came back stronger this time, delivering a focused performance that ended the rivalry once and for all.
Following the stoppage of his opponent, an excited Whittaker celebrated by racing around the ring and exchanging words with Cameron’s trainer Grant Smith.
“You heard everybody boo me, they’re portraying me as a bad guy,” Whittaker told Sky Sports in his post-fight interview when asked if he had spat at Smith. “But at the end of the day I work very hard, my emotions came out.
“I was roaring like a Lion, if a little bit of dribble came out, a bit of dribble came out.”
Trainer Andy Lee also defended Whittaker’s celebrations, having teamed up with the 27-year-old ahead of a defining night in his career in the wake of his first fight against Cameron.
“Nobody can underestimate what this man has gone through the last however many months,” said Lee. “Mentally, the barrage of insults, the fact he’s still standing here in the ring tonight, not many people could put up with what he’s gone through.
“He’s still here and performed like that.
“I know for a fact I’m not going to spend time with somebody who is not worthy of my time.
“This guy is the best person you’ll ever spend time with. He is an emotional guy, he did lose control but it’s only natural with what he’s been through the last six or seven months.”
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Whittaker’s full interview after he beat Liam Cameron and his post-fight clash with his opponent’s corner.
Coldwell: Whittaker let himself down
Dave Coldwell criticized Whittaker’s post-fight reaction and suggested that his emotions got the better of him.
“That’s classless, I don’t care if the crowd boo you or not, their man just got beat and stopped, that’s classless. There’s no excuse for that,” said Coldwell on Sky Sports.
“The performance was outstanding, sharp from the first minute, he was on full alert. The finish was brilliant. He spoilt it at the end.
“What has Grant Smith or any of Cameron’s team got to do with that? There’s no excuse for that. I get it, I understand when everybody is at you. But you show your class.
“He’s got the best man in the world looking after him and showing him how to behave because Andy Lee is an unbelievable human being. I understand about human emotion but I think he let himself down.”
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Johnny Nelson and Dave Coldwell disagreed on whether Ben Whittaker had crossed the line with his ring celebrations following victory over Liam Cameron
British and Commonwealth middleweight champion Callum Simpson, who has openly welcomed a potential fight with Whittaker, also questioned Whittaker’s behavior.
“I’ve never been booed in my life, especially in your home town, it says something about yourself,” Simpson said on Sky Sports.
“He’s shown his true self now, Grant Smith doesn’t deserve that, it’s bang out of order.
“You know how much of a good guy Grant Smith is. He doesn’t deserve that.”
