Boxing fans slam Ben Whittaker claiming his showboating is ‘making a mockery of the sport’

Boxing fans have taken to social media to condemn Ben Whittaker for his in-ring antics.

The 26-year-old has employed a style involving frequent showboating and plays to the crowd throughout his career, resulting in a polarised reaction from fans.

Making his fourth appearance as a professional on Saturday, Whittaker took on Slovakian journeyman Vladimir Belujsky at the Manchester Arena.

Following the opening bell Whittaker immediately took to his trademark antics, darting in with solids shots before demoralising his opponent by skillfully slipping out of range and gesturing to the crowd.

Despite being dropped in the third round, the outmatched Belujsky fought on with Whittaker eventually forcing the referee to intervene in the final of the scheduled eight rounds.

The British Olympian frequently showboated before stopping his opponent in the eighth round

Whittaker’s antics inside the ring have seen him compared to former world champion Naseem Hamed

Though he continued his undefeated start to his career in the professional ranks, Whittaker’s incessant showboating failed to endear him to fans online, with many insisting that his antics were disrespectful to his opponent.

One fan wrote: ‘Embarrassing. No matter what level their opponent is, it’s takes courage to get in a ring in the first place. This is someone’s son, brother, uncle etc. Respect should go to anyone who steps into a ring. Don’t take the fight if he’s not on your level. He’s given you a pay day’ 

Another added: ‘He’s a clown, making a mockery of the sport, embarrassing.’ 

A third fan unfavourably compared Whittaker’s grandstanding to former featherweight world champion Naseem Hamed: ‘Does my head in…..tinpot Prince Naseem’

Another sarcastically added: ‘Respect to Ben for showboating on massively mismatched opponents’

A further wrote: ‘When you disrespect opponents like this people pray for your downfall.’

Fans on social media condemned Whittaker’s actions, accusing him of having a lack of respect

Prior to turning professional in 2022, Whittaker was consistently rated as one of the top amateur prospects from the UK.

The light heavyweight won bronze at the 2019 AIBA World Boxing Championships, reaching the semi-finals in Yekaterinburg, Russia before losing a decision to Dilshodbek Ruzmetov.

Whittaker went one better at the Tokyo Olympics, securing bronze for Team GB after reaching the final before being defeated by 2016 goal medallist Arlen Lopez.