Ben Whittaker has addressed ongoing criticism of his in-ring style, insisting that while his flair and entertainment will always be part of his identity, victory remains his top priority.
“You can go out there dancing like Chris Brown, but if you lose, it’s not going to happen again,” Whittaker said. “Winning is all that matters.” His performances have divided opinion, with some fans frustrated by what they see as excessive antics, while others are drawn to his personality and entertainment value.
Criticism has also centered on the level of opposition he has faced, with suggestions that his style is easier to execute against overmatched opponents. Whittaker understands the reaction but points to the difficulty of pleasing everyone. “A lot of people, you can never please everybody,” he said. “They say Ben Whittaker plays too much. Then I knock somebody out, and they say why is he not dancing no more.”
The 27-year-old insists his approach is natural rather than forced. “For me, as long as I go out there and be original, that’s what matters,” he explained, adding that his style develops instinctively as he settles into a fight.
Whittaker also dismissed comparisons to Prince Naseem Hamed, despite frequent links between their styles. “Truthfully, no. I actually never watched Prince Naseem fight,” he said, emphasizing that his foundation comes from studying fighters like Pernell Whitaker and Willie Pep.
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Image Credit: The Ring