‘I was cut out for it’ – Ben Whittaker opens up on fan backlash after freak ending to Liam Cameron bout ahead of rematch
BEN WHITTAKER insists he was cut out to take the backlash that came his way in the aftermath of his draw with Liam Cameron.
The pair look to settle their score on Easter Sunday in Birmingham – six months on from their controversial draw in Saudi Arabia.
In Riyadh, the bout prematurely went to the judges scorecards after five rounds when the pair went over the top rope.
Injured Whittaker was unable to continue – with many feeling Cameron was on the road to an upset.
Whittaker – who divides opinion with his showboating in the ring – was accused of QUITTING by some supporters.
But he told Sky Sports: “If the stick hits you, you are not cut out for it. Luckily, I was cut out for it.
“People talk about me because I am that guy, people say a lot of things about me because I am that guy.
“I am supposed to be that guy so they’re talking for a reason.”
Cameron, 34, claimed Whittaker, 27, deliberately pulled himself over the top rope.
And Whittaker sarcastically added: “People saw what they saw, some people believe that happened and some people didn’t.
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“But all I know is he ended up on top of me and I got injured. [Cameron] is very calculated about it, it’s very nice, but at the end of the day it’s a good job I’ve been doing gymnastics this time so if it does happen I can land on my feet.”
The usually-outspoken Whittaker went radio silent after the controversial draw – later switching trainers to Andy Lee in Ireland.
And amid the fan backlash, he said: “I came from humble beginnings and I’m in a position now where I can change their lives, which is the best thing ever.
“That’s what’s really grounding me and what makes me want to work hard.
“That is what makes me not cut corners because where I’m from in the Midlands you don’t really get given much, you have to go and get it yourself. That’s what I do.”
Controversy has also surrounded the rematch too.
Cameron revealed he was sent a contract for a 12-round bout while Whittaker’s was for ten.
Promoter Ben Shalom appeared to suggest the dispute had been resolved via financial compensation towards Cameron.
But the former Commonwealth middleweight champion – now up at light-heavyweight – hit back to say no agreement had been reached.
He posted online: “Boxxer have my terms to accept to change the fight to 10 rounds but they are refusing to send me a contract to vary the deal and are trying to suggest they can change the rounds without a contract.
“Going into fight week not knowing how many rounds I’m fighting is a joke for me and for my opponent. As I post this it’s still a 12 round fight.”