A commentator was accused by a professional boxer last week of disrespectfully accusing the boxer of being disrespectful. The commentator dressed down the boxer in a somewhat disrespectful manner in front of television cameras.
Meanwhile, a stage loomed behind them, where a diverse group of boxers, including Ben Whittaker, the boxer fueled by his grievances, had previously occupied. It was on this very stage that each of them had varying degrees of disdainfully showcased their lack of respect towards their opponents, all for the purpose of hyping up a fight. Furthermore, it was on this very stage, during the same press conference, that Whittaker had been abruptly interrupted. An uninvited intruder had boldly approached the main table, halfway through Whittaker’s opening remarks, disrespectfully calling him out. In response, perplexed individuals in the room turned to their nearest neighbor, questioning, “Forgive my ignorance, but who is this individual causing such commotion?”
Nevertheless, Whittaker waved it away effortlessly, akin to deflecting punches, all while wearing a smile and nonchalant shrug. He politely requested a member of the room to bring Ezra Arenyeka, the individual who had shown him disrespect, a refreshing “Sprite and a banana.” Having swiftly addressed the matter, Whittaker proceeded to seamlessly resume his previous discussion as if uninterrupted. In essence, he handled the situation with utmost propriety and maturity, opting to respond to the disrespect by simply disregarding it, showcasing the finest approach possible.
However, when Whittaker crossed paths with Sky Sports commentator Andy Clarke, things took a different turn. While filming a segment together, Whittaker couldn’t let go of past grievances and confronted Clarke about his previous comments during Whittaker’s fights. Despite the inappropriate timing and setting, Whittaker’s main concern seemed to revolve around Clarke’s use of the word “disrespectful” to describe Whittaker’s signature showboating.
Interestingly, Whittaker’s concern with Clarke seemed to stem less from being seen as disrespectful and more from the belief that his showboating was not seen as an art or a challenging skill. If this is true, it would be a peculiar thought, as regardless of one’s opinion on showboating, it is undeniable that such demonstrations of dominance and confidence are extremely difficult to execute. If it were easy, and if every boxer felt as calm and confident in the ring, it is likely that they would all engage in it.
Ben Whittaker is pictured in anticipation of his upcoming battle against Jordan Grant. The photograph was taken by Lawrence Lustig of BOXXER.
Currently, Whittaker is the only one who performs at such an exceptional level. In fact, it has somewhat consumed his entire personality, to the point that last week, whenever his name was mentioned at a press conference or on fight night, it was impossible not to be reminded of his viral sensation status solely because of his showboating.
That’s all well and good, but one wonders whether the people championing him in this way – essentially, reducing him to a Britain’s Got Talent act – are somehow both missing the point and part of the problem. You would hope, given his amateur pedigree and immense talent, Whittaker could be promoted in ways more creative than “viral showboating sensation”, yet to the new faces in the sport, who understand only the language of content and clicks, a boxer’s virality seemingly trumps everything else these days.
Whittaker recognizes the importance of playing the game. He has mastered when to show off and understands the types of moves that will generate attention on social media. He asserts that this is not a recent development for him, but rather a genuine aspect of his persona that he has embraced long before realizing its significance and the widespread interest it would generate. Watching Whittaker over time reveals that showboating is ingrained in his character, akin to a reflex, and suppressing this natural behavior would jeopardize his effectiveness and performance. Essentially, it is crucial for him to show off to maintain his fighting spirit, to unwind, and to excel in his craft.
Ben Whittaker confronts Leon Willings with a determined focus on the task at hand. (Image credit: LAWRENCE LUSTIG/BOXXER)
Dan Azeez, a current professional, voiced his opinion during Whittaker’s most recent victory, stating, “We didn’t come here for this. We came for entertainment and to witness embarrassment. The spectators aren’t interested in witnessing this.”
That night, Azeez and Andy Clarke were commentating for Sky Sports. As always, Andy provided a fair and insightful analysis of Whittaker and his performance. Azeez’s remarks could be seen as playful teasing towards a potential future opponent. However, regardless of his intentions, they shed light on the challenges Whittaker currently encounters. He finds himself caught between earning respect and facing disrespect, which puts him at risk of overthinking the criticisms of others or the desire to go viral. Consequently, Whittaker may start doubting his natural instincts.
Whittaker started the fight against Leon Willings with a serious demeanor, determined to conduct himself professionally and avoid the usual foolishness that has characterized his previous professional fights. However, after successfully knocking down Willings, Whittaker became intoxicated with his own success. As he returned to his corner at the end of the first round, his behavior took a rather strange turn. This peculiar display was, in a way, consistent with what people have come to anticipate from Whittaker: his overwhelming control, his flamboyant movements, and his exhibition of showmanship, which some view as disrespectful.
Afterwards, an intriguing occurrence took place. Willings, against all expectations, chose not to back down but instead rose to the challenge, finding his own success. Similar to Whittaker, he displayed a carefree attitude towards the favorite’s strength and began to unwind, enjoying himself, and even managed to catch Whittaker off guard with occasional counterpunches while the latter sporadically showed off.
In conclusion, Whittaker earned the respect of Willings. This was evident during the fight’s conclusion, as Whittaker made sure to raise Willings’ arm in acknowledgment of their performance. Furthermore, during Whittaker’s post-fight interview, he immediately congratulated Willings on his impressive display. It was comforting and encouraging to witness such gestures. Additionally, it is worth noting that this is not the first instance where Whittaker has demonstrated respect towards an opponent after emerging victorious.
Lawrence Lustig captures the moment when Ben Whittaker triumphantly celebrates his victory over Greg O’Neill during his professional debut.
Whittaker’s actions of imitating Willings’ flaws, as seen in the recent incident, can only be perceived as disrespectful. However, it is important to note that this doesn’t imply cruel intentions. In Whittaker’s case, it is comparable to having bad breath or Tourette’s syndrome – occasionally offensive, but something he cannot control as it is a part of his nature.
Ultimately, the decision of whether one feels disrespected or not rests solely with the individual. This applies to both Ben Whittaker and his opponents, as well as Andy Clarke, who is known for his impartiality in the boxing community. Just like Whittaker felt disrespected when provoked by an unknown Nigerian at a press conference, Clarke had a right to feel disrespected when he was caught on camera last Friday. This extends to Emanuel Augustus, who may feel disrespected if he learns that Whittaker has adopted his ring nickname, “The Drunken Master,” or the late Frankie Randall, who would potentially feel disrespected if he discovered that Whittaker refers to himself as “The Surgeon.”
