Boxer Ben Whittaker’s showboating style, which includes dancing and taunting opponents, has garnered attention and controversy, but his promoter, Ben Shalom, believes it won’t change and that Whittaker has the potential to be a future star of boxing.
Ben Whittaker’s recent boxing match was a spectacle. He danced, taunted, and showboated before delivering a brutal fifth-round knockout. The 26-year-old Olympic silver medalist quickly became a name to watch in boxing. But, not everyone loved his attitude.
Referees warned Whittaker repeatedly about his behavior. Fans, however, seemed to enjoy his flashy style and flair. His victory was certainly memorable.
Ben Shalom, Whittaker’s promoter and CEO of BOXXER, isn’t worried. He insists that neither a referee’s warnings nor boxing purists’ complaints will change Whittaker. He’s there to put on a show, every time.
Shalom’s confident. He said, “With anyone else, I would say yes [it might change them], but I promise you he was warned by this referee and I think the referee was way over the top last time.” He made these comments on The MMA Hour.
Shalom believes the referee’s actions were excessive. He thinks it was because it was the first time the U.S. audience saw Whittaker. The referee even visited him beforehand, but it didn’t stop him. That’s just how Whittaker fights. It’s how he unsettles his opponent.
Whittaker’s a showman. A superstar. Peacock and NBC are going crazy for him. His last fight did 100 million views across platforms. Shalom’s never seen anything like it.
Whittaker insists his showy behavior isn’t for social media mentions or views. It’s just how he likes to fight. His style, combined with a 6-0 record and five knockouts, convinces Shalom he’s got a future superstar.
Shalom’s excited. He said, “For me, it’s not just the future star of British boxing, but the future star of boxing.” He believes Whittaker’s a phenomenal boxer, one of the most talented he’s ever seen. He’s tough, experienced, and ticks all the boxes.
Shalom’s betting on Whittaker. He believes he can be a long-time star in boxing, maybe even the face of boxing. His impact in just six fights is impressive. He’s amassed over a million followers, making him one of the most followed boxers in British boxing. It’s crazy.
Whittaker’s next fight is Sunday on the Peacock streaming service in the U.S. This will only expand his audience. As Shalom and BOXXER expand into new territories, they believe Whittaker could be their ticket to conquering the U.S.
Shalom’s optimistic. He said, “I believe he’ll probably be our entry to the U.S. Because I know how keen NBC are [on him].” He believes Whittaker hasn’t even tapped into his true potential yet. He expects to see more from him in each passing fight.
Shalom has faith in Whittaker. He believes he’ll keep stacking wins and creating viral moments to grow his popularity. He said, “No one has seen anything yet.” He knows how focused Whittaker is and how much goes into his craft. He’s excited for Sunday’s fight.