Ben Whittaker salutes the group on his strategy to the ring on June 15 at Selhurst Park in London. (Photograph credit score: Lawrence Lustig, BOXXER)
Missy Elliott, Drake and a symphony all helped set the tone for Ben Whittaker’s newest professional win.
A spectacular ring entrance was adopted by a extra subdued efficiency than usually supplied by the charismatic British gentle heavyweight in his first ten-round affair. Whittaker went the space in a shutout victory over beforehand unbeaten Eworitse Ezra Arenyeka.
Scores have been 100-90, 99-91, 99-91 for the undefeated Whittaker of their Sky Sports activities/Peacock+ co-feature Saturday at Selhurst Park in London.
Whittaker performed as much as the crammed crowd at Selhurst Park. The 2020 Olympic Silver medalist has rapidly developed a reputation for himself, as followers and critics alike watch his each transfer. A delicate dance efficiency was supplied by Whittaker as he moved to ‘Get Ur Freak On’ earlier than he took heart stage for the second act. A violin-filled symphony brilliantly lined Drake’s ‘Over’ because the unbeaten 27-year-old made his strategy to the ring.
Then got here the precise combat.
Theatrics have been spared by Whittaker (8-0, 5 knockouts) for probably the most half within the opening spherical. The identical was not mentioned of Arenyeka, who put his arms behind his again and taunted his closely favored foe. The antics have been a carryover from a contentious combat week, full with their having to be separated throughout Friday’s submit weigh-in stare down.
Whittaker was dialed in defensively in spherical two. His eager consciousness of each incoming punch helped arrange left hooks when he didn’t pump his purposeful jab. Arenyeka refused to wilt however was largely ineffective along with his offensive assault.
A physique shot left Arenyeka, a Nigerian bruiser primarily based in Cheshire, briefly harm and compelled to retreat late within the third. Whittaker moved in to comply with however ran out of time earlier than he might absolutely seize the second.
Motion slowed within the center rounds, although the extent of frustration was evident with the longshot underdog.
Arenyeka was disciplined by the referee for a headbutt after the bell sounded to finish spherical six. Whittaker mockingly walked alongside Arenyeka, who lunged ahead along with his head. Each fighters have been inspired by the third man to maintain it clear and restricted to contact throughout the guidelines.
The recommendation didn’t fairly stick.
Arenyeka missed badly with a left hook. The comply with by means of induced his arm to wrap round Whittaker’s head. An try by Whittaker to interrupt free was as a substitute met with a proper elbow throughout his jaw. Time was referred to as as some extent was deducted from Arenyeka’s rating complete for the infraction.
Whittaker switched to southpaw earlier than he returned a standard stance throughout an energetic however low-contact eighth spherical. Arenyeka adopted Whittaker across the ring however typically caught air along with his left hook up prime. Whittaker largely performed protection and flicked along with his, however landed a pair of left hand physique pictures late within the body.
Lower than three months after going the complete eight-round distance for the primary time, Whittaker as soon as once more entered uncharted territory. He calmly went on the assault within the first ninth spherical of his boxing lifetime. Arenyeka was pressured to cowl up for a lot of the spherical, however Whittaker didn’t land any singular punch of consequence.
Whittaker had Arenyeka (12-1, 10 KOs) in hassle within the ultimate fifteen seconds of the bout. Blood flew from Arenyeka’s nostril as his legs practically gave out after a four-punch mixture down the center for Whittaker. An effort to shut the present fell simply brief because the bell sounded to finish the competition.
The win was the third of a productive 2024 marketing campaign so far for Whittaker, even with out the knockout end.
“It was a bit irritating, I’m not gonna lie,” Whittaker advised Sky Sport’s Anna Woolhouse. “Nevertheless it was a phenomenal efficiency.”
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