Ben Whittaker‘s latest performance has left plenty of people underwhelmed.
The former Olympic silver medallist is a much hyped talent who has got the world talking since turning professional, largely because of his showboating in the ring.
He likes to dance and fool around but thus far has not yet fought any world-ranked contenders, but has still struggled on occasion to get the job done convincingly.
The first case of that was his draw with Liam Cameron, although he avenged that with a swift knockout in the rematch. Then, this past weekend, he looked to be cruising to victory before being caught late on and having a torrid final three rounds against Conor Wallace.
Speaking to talkSPORT Boxing, popular UK heavyweight Dave Allen didn’t hold back in his takedown of where Whittaker is at.
“Since Ben Whittaker’s debut, I’ve never been massively sold on him as a pro. He’s got unbelievable talent, like, one of the most talented fighters in the UK, if not the world. You watch him and you think wow, this guy is incredible.
“But professional boxing is 12 rounds. You have to punch, you have to be strong, you have to be durable, and them things I think at that level he hasn’t got.
“Conor Wallace, how that was an eliminator for the world title I’ll never know. Ben Whittaker’s best win is still Liam Cameron. Ben Whittaker, for me, as a pro, he isn’t going to go to the top, and that’s fine.
“He’s still a better fighter than me but when people are saying world champion, Bivol Beterbiev, he’s nowhere near. He hasn’t got the physicality as a pro. If a world title were won over four rounds, maybe, but they’re not, they’re won over 12 with 10oz gloves, and in my opinion the fella hasn’t got it.”
Whittaker had been expecting to go on to fight for a world title next as mandatory challenger to Dimitry Bivol, but his promoter Eddie Hearn admitted he will need at least one more fight before making that step up.
