Ben Whittaker is adamant about setting an example against Ezra Arenyeka, an Olympic medalist, as he seeks to silence his enigmatic adversary on June 15. Whittaker aims to extend his flawless professional record by challenging Arenyeka on the undercard of Chris Billam-Smith’s cruiserweight world title defense at Selhurst Park, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. This encounter stems from Arenyeka’s audacious intrusion at the press conference prior to Whittaker’s last fight against Leon Willings, where he boldly issued a challenge to ‘The Surgeon.’ Whittaker is adamant that this will be the first and final instance where an opponent secures the right to share the stage with him in such a manner.
“I’m reaching a juncture where individuals will engage in such behaviors,” Whittaker remarked at Wednesday’s press conference. “You inquired as to his motivations for desiring to face me; there are numerous reasons, including the obvious allure of recognition. On June 15, I intend to demonstrate that I will not tolerate individuals storming press conferences to secure fights; this will be the final incident of its kind.”
Arenyeka has consistently criticized Whittaker’s flamboyant showmanship, recently labeling him as both a ‘kid’ and a ‘diva’ while expressing his determination to be the first to defeat the rising star. At Wednesday’s press conference, he adopted a more complimentary approach, acknowledging Whittaker’s prominence as an opportunity to advance his own career.
“Ben has demonstrated his unwavering spirit,” he stated. “This is the essence of boxing and legacy; you must embrace challenges and engage in competition. I’m here to showcase my exceptional abilities, and I anticipate his readiness. My career has been self-made; my last bout took place in a remote Colombian village, prompting me to question my next move. I arrived to confront the most formidable opponent and put myself to the test. I recognize that this will draw attention to me and propel my career forward. He’s an Olympian, an exceptional boxer, and it will be my most challenging fight, but I’ll be prepared.”
Whittaker was quick to remind his opponent of his prior remarks, urging him to maintain the same aggressive mindset throughout their June bout.
“When he entered the press conference flanked by security personnel, he was all bravado,” Whittaker recalled. “He was equally vocal on the podcast, but now that he’s on the microphone, he’s like, ‘Oh, I respect him.’ Maintain that same intensity on June 15. I have not taken any of my opponents seriously, and that is no disrespect to them. I’ll take this kid 10% seriously; you’ll witness it.”
Arenyeka continued to refer to Whittaker as a ‘spoiled child,’ expressing respect for his fighting abilities but not for his character.
“Calm down, you possess a Rubik’s Cube head and a beanbag-like physique,” Whittaker retorted. “I’ve witnessed your style since I was seven years old; that is the extent of your skill level. It is what motivates me to rise each morning. I awoke at 7 a.m. and trained; I awoke at 7 a.m. today and trained; I’m aware that he did not. Our lifestyles differ; you talk the talk, I walk the walk. I’ve already begun training, whereas you appear ridiculous. Prepare for the moment when I strike you with a few jabs.”
The pair then engaged in lighthearted banter regarding jewelry, during which Arenyeka implied that Whittaker’s sole motivation for boxing was to “acquire timepieces.” Whittaker countered by emphasizing that he boxes for his family.
After dealing with “The African King,” Whittaker expresses no desire for further Arenyeka-style confrontations.
“Observing boxing, I believed one had to earn their place through the ranks, defeating the necessary opponents, but today, it appears you can simply walk through the door and challenge whomever you desire,” he remarked. “We’ll have approximately 30 of them lining up. Kudos to him; it’s his chance, and he’s fighting for himself and his family, but as a boxer like me who has progressed through the rankings, should I abandon that and begin appearing at press conferences to secure fights?”
If Arenyeka’s disruption serves any positive purpose, it will provide Whittaker with a valuable test as he continues to develop after effortlessly defeating his first seven opponents.
“I believe it’s beneficial for someone like Ezra, who has arrived with unwavering confidence and a burning desire to defeat Ben,” stated Ben Shalom, CEO and founder of Boxxer. “This is precisely what Ben needs; numerous opponents succumb to fear before even entering the ring with Ben. I anticipate an explosive performance from him, and we’ll witness an exciting contest. It prepares Ben for the grand stages because he’ll encounter a multitude of fighters eager to dethrone him.”
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