Ben Whitaker appeared to have run over Liam Cameron’s horn after raiding beyond his rival in a halt victory in the statement Sunday. Was his celebration justified or did he cross the line?
Whitaker responded stylically to his critics as he powered past Cameron in the second round about what was looming as the decisive night of his career.
The Olympic silver medalist was accused of “resigning” at his first meeting in October. This ruled the split draw when the injured Whitaker was left to continue after the two fighters oddly fell over the top rope.
It prompted a second sharply focused performance from Whittaker to end his rivalry with Cameron after being greeted by a mixture of cheers and boos during a ring walk in Birmingham.
Stopping his opponent, the animated Whitaker ran around the ring at the celebration before stabbing his head into the ropes while exchanging for Cameron’s trainer Grant Smith.
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Watching Ben Whitaker stop Liam Cameron in the second round of the much-anticipated rematch
“I heard everyone boo me, they portray me as the bad guy,” Whittaker told Sky Sports in a postwar interview when asked if Smith had been spewed. “But at the end of the day I worked so hard that my feelings started.
“I was roaring like a lion. A little dribbling came out, and a little dribbling came out.”
Trainer Andy Lee also defended Whitaker’s celebration and collaborated with the 27-year-old ahead of the decisive night of his career, in the wake of his first fight with Cameron.
“We can’t underestimate what this guy has experienced over the past months,” Lee said. “Psychologically, there was a barrage of insults, the fact that he was still standing here tonight, the things he went through that many couldn’t stand.
“He was still here and played that way.
“I know that I am not going to spend time with people who are not worthy of my time because of the facts.
“This guy is the best guy you’ve ever had time. He’s an emotional guy and he’s lost control, but it’s natural that he’s been through the past six or seven months.”
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A full interview with Whitaker after he defeated Liam Cameron and his postwar conflict came into conflict with his opponent’s horn.
Caldwell: The Whittaker disappointed himself
Dave Caldwell was critical of Whitaker’s reaction after the battle, suggesting that emotions allowed him to make the most of his.
“It’s classless. I don’t care if the crowd is booing you or not. Their guy was beat hit and stopped. It’s classless. There’s no excuse,” said Caldwell of Sky Sports.
“The performance was outstanding, he was sharp in the first minute and he was totally vigilant. The finish was great. He ruined it in the end.
“Is it something that Grant Smith or someone on Cameron’s team involved? There’s no excuse. I get it, I understand when everyone is at you. But you show your class.
“He looks after him, Andy Lee is an incredible person, so he looks after him and behaves him.
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Johnny Nelson and Dave Caldwell opposed whether Ben Whitaker crossed the line in his ring celebration after beating over Liam Cameron
British and Commonwealth middleweight champion Callum Simpson has openly welcomed the potential battle with Whittaker, but also questioned Whittaker’s actions.
“I’ve never been booed in my life, especially in your hometown. It’s something about yourself,” Simpson told Sky Sports.
“He’s showing his true self now, Grant Smith doesn’t deserve it, it bumps smoothly.
“I know how good Grant Smith is. He doesn’t deserve it.”
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Ben Whitaker serenaded by the Sheffield Community choir ahead of the enthusiastic and long-awaited rematch with Liam Cameron
Nelson: It was human emotion
Johnny Nelson argued that he could be forgiven for his reaction in the face of accusations that he bowed too easily during the October clash.
“It came out of emotion. Frustration. He was slandered and disciplined because of what he had gone through,” Nelson said.
“He says, ‘I’m not washed away, everything you said about me is total garbage.’ It’s human emotions.”
“Unfortunately, after the victory, he gets criticized. He’s done the job. He’s seen over and over again, you look at his face. It hurts him, it was human emotion.”
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See a new angle of Ben Whitaker’s controversial celebration after beating Liam Cameron
Whitaker was amazed by the atmosphere on a Sunday night. He gave a significantly improved performance, crashing Cameron and rocking him with his right hand by launching a vicious attack that spelled out the end of his opponent.
“Ben Whitaker did everything right and got the job done,” Nelson continued. “It should have happened in the first place. It’s better to be happening now than 19 fights.
“We had to see it. He was unhappy with the silver medal at the Olympics. We had to see it.
“He’s under immeasurable pressure. He knows he’s talented, but the pressure is there. His mouth gets in the way at times, so he doesn’t love himself, but we love him or hate him.
Watch Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn on Saturday’s live at Sky Sports Box Office.
