Comments Thread For: Matchroom announce 'game changer' signing of Ben Whittaker

[D.P.B II]

What makes you think Andy Lee is that guy though? He's been hyped up for his work with Tyson and Parker, but Tyson Fury was actually under Sugar Hill and Parker has arguably lost 3 times under Lee, including one absolute battering v Joe Joyce.

When we delve deeper in Parker and Lee, Parker is still very gunshy, he won't commit to punches and has become very safety first.

Is potshotting the direction Whittaker wants to go? Does he have the stamina and footwork to do that for 12 rounds?

I just don't think Lee is that guy. He's living in Manny's shadow and has a reputation built more from outside than inside the ring imo.

I think every single fighter that Andy has worked with as head trainer has improved by a lot. This is what gives me confidence. I don’t think pot shotting is the way to go. I also understand anyone that thinks the stoppage of Cameron in the rematch was waved off early.

in the rematch, Whittaker may have only done what he was suppose to the first time, but the way that he handled the rematch under Lee was impressive to me. He looked completely focused and not bothered about showboating and things like that. I just have a feeling Lee will bring the best out of Ben. But when I say that I don’t mean he’s going to dominate any divisions or anything. I see him winning a world title at one point. Depending on what happens with Bivol.

[Bennyleonard99]

Game changer potential. Gimmicks like Butterbean Vampire Johnson, Cliff Couser, Laila Ali, Christy Martin, Ed Too Tall Jones, Ali's grandson do work for awhile.

[Joseph]

I feel like Ben is better suited teaming up with Kelly, Ozone, and Turbo to save some orphanage or something.

[PRINCEKOOL]

Ben Whittaker in terms of his character, has a lot of material that Eddie Hearn and match room can utilize 'but as Dominic Ingle has stated, in his own words. It is all good, being a showman both outside of the ring, and during fights. But a fighter like Prince Naseem Hamed was not just being a showman at domestic level, he had the ability to distance himself from his competitors at all levels. And when the going got tough, Prince Naseem Hamed could really fight'.

Note: I think as a fighter Ben Whittaker has already shown some traits that coaches, should be concerned with. I still think his first fight against Liam Cameron I was dubious, Whittaker's behaviour when the fight was turning into a much tougher challenge than expected. I am not talking about how that particular fight concluded; I am referring to his resolve and competitiveness when the fight was increasing in difficulty levels'.

But to his credit he redeemed himself in the rematch, and produced not a great performance 'but a level of performance that should be expected from a Olympic Silver Medallist vs a fighter in Liam Cameron who is not really super talented fighter, and has had terrible work ethic for 95% of his career'.

To conclude: I would imagine there are going to be some exciting domestic level fights in Ben Whittaker's career 'this is the path I anticipate where he is going to excel most i.e. being a British fighter, and exploiting the domestic market. Quite similar to Chris Eubank Junior, but from what I have seen of Whittaker so far in his career? I don't think he has the talented of Chris Eubank Junior as a professional fighter'.

It will be interesting to see how Ben Whittaker's career develops, and how he progresses as a fighter. Currently right now, I don't think he is a popular fighter in the UK. Nowhere near to the level of Prince Naseem Hamed when he was a rookie fighter. This is where I think Eddie Hearn and match-room are going to try and improve Whittaker as a boxing product moving forward in his career' etc.

[M312]

I think every single fighter that Andy has worked with as head trainer has improved by a lot. This is what gives me confidence. I don’t think pot shotting is the way to go. I also understand anyone that thinks the stoppage of Cameron in the rematch was waved off early.

in the rematch, Whittaker may have only done what he was suppose to the first time, but the way that he handled the rematch under Lee was impressive to me. He looked completely focused and not bothered about showboating and things like that. I just have a feeling Lee will bring the best out of Ben. But when I say that I don’t mean he’s going to dominate any divisions or anything. I see him winning a world title at one point. Depending on what happens with Bivol.

I'll respectfully disagree.

Don't think I do see many improvements with boxers when they are with Lee. People will say Parker, but he's lost multiple times under Lee and he (and Andy's other boxers) just seem so one-dimensional. They always seem to be found lacking when push comes to shove. No Plan B. Let's see.

[LG Motel 22]

Whittaker to be on celebrity big brother in 3 years