LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT top prospect Ben Whittaker has told Boxing News that he and trainer Sugar Hill Steward have amicably parted ways.
Whittaker, who entered the professional boxing scene with Steward as his coach, has had a flawless beginning to his career, triumphing in all six of his fights. The 26-year-old, who also earned a silver medal in the 2020 Olympics, is set to compete once again on Sunday, March 31 against Leon Willings, the reigning Central Area light-heavyweight champion, with a record of 7-1 (2 KOs).
Speaking to BN Whittaker explained the thinking behind his parting of ways with Steward who also trains WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
“We continue to stay connected and have conversations, but he has been frequently shuttling between Tyson Fury and me. He has been to Detroit, various other places, and everywhere in between. Personally, I preferred not to constantly travel.”
I’m looking to enhance my knowledge and concentrate on my personal career, which has primarily centered around activities in the UK. To prioritize my boxing pursuits, I have made the decision to sever most other commitments and solely focus on my training. The current arrangement of constantly traveling and accompanying Tyson is not yielding favorable results at the moment. This is a matter worth considering. Nonetheless, we still maintain communication.
Joby Clayton, a member of Whittaker’s team, will be in the corner for the Willings bout. Whittaker, however, may not make a new trainer appointment right away telling BN that he will be visiting different gyms. Trips that could lead to him finding the right man or woman for the job.
Whittaker expressed, “I have a constant desire to learn.”
“I am aware that I haven’t reached my full potential yet. There is still a lot to be learned and gained, just by refining and improving my skills. This is exactly what we aim to achieve. While Joby provides valuable insights from his perspective, it would be beneficial to seek fresh perspectives from different angles. Perhaps, after this fight, we could explore visiting different gyms and see what unfolds.”
To view the complete interview of Ben Whittaker by Rob Tebbutt, simply click on the video provided below.
