Boxing
Ben Whittaker addresses criticism of ‘playing too much’.
His appearance is complicated by the fact that he often taunts opponents who are clearly superior to him, leading to criticism that he simply bullies lower-level rivals in fights intended to improve his appearance. This creates a narrative of unnecessary humiliation rather than true competitive dominance.
“You can go out and dance like Chris Brown, but if you lose, it won’t happen again,” Whittaker told DAZN. “Only winning counts.”
Whittaker divided people. Half of the fans want him to stop his antics, while the other half watches just because he’s a character. He says he understands why people are upset, but the real problem is who he’s fighting. It’s effortless to look flashy against guys who never had a chance to win.
If he had performed stunts like this against killers like David Benavidez or David Morrell, fans would have respected him more. However, at the moment, his promoters do not place him at the highest level, even though he is the same age as the large names.
“Many people will never please everyone,” Whittaker said. “They say Ben Whittaker plays too much. Then I knock someone out and they say why he doesn’t dance anymore.”
Whittaker insists this style is not an act of pretense. It’s something that comes naturally once you get into a fight.
“For me, what matters is that I go out on the pitch and be original,” he said.
Whittaker doesn’t buy the Prince Naseem Hamed comparisons, even though people keep bringing them up. He claims he never even watched Naseem fight.
Still, his flashy style is more reminiscent of Naz than the classic legends he claims to have studied. He claims his game is based on players like Pernell Whitaker and Willie Pep, but his moves go far beyond the basic things Pernell did.
“Actually, no. I actually never watched Prince Naseem fight,” Ben said. “I was raised on the real foundations of boxing. I’ve seen people try to imitate my style, but then they get into trouble because it’s not them. It’s not original. Sometimes, if it is, I have to accept it.”
Terence Crawford left boxing undefeated with little to prove, and yet Mauricio Sulaimán reignited an senior feud, describing the former champion’s retirement as “cowardly” in an interview this week.
“Fight in September for the world title. He has many options: Benavidez, Charlo, a rematch with Crawford, who cowardly retired, Bivol and Beterbiev. He is in a position where he can choose,” WBC president Sulaiman told Tiempo Extra.
This seems like a more personal than professional paperwork dispute. Sulaimán’s “cowardly” comment is clearly payback for the bridge Crawford burned on his way out.
When Crawford defeated Canelo in September 2025, he effectively retired as “King of the Hill” and then told the Neighborhood Association (WBC) that their membership dues were a scam.
During his Instagram Live tirade, Crawford refused to pay and devalued the entire existence of the WBC. Calling the eminent green belt a “trophy” that “doesn’t mean shit” is a direct attack on Sulaimán’s legacy and the prestige he strives to maintain for the WBC.
The WBC says it lowered its usual 3% commission to 0.6% ($300,000) to be “fair” and Crawford still hasn’t moved on it. By paying the other three organizations (WBA, IBF, WBO) but freezing the WBC, Crawford singled them out as the only organization he felt was not worth his money.
Crawford clearly stated that The Ring belt is a “real belt” because it is free. This is a nightmare for sanctioning bodies because it encourages other stars to realize that they don’t actually need pricey “alphabet” titles from sanctioning bodies to be considered the best.
Calling a 42-0 fighter who has just been promoted and trained by Canelo a “coward” is objectively absurd in a boxing sense. However, in Sulaimán’s language, “cowardly” likely refers to Crawford’s refusal to “stand and fight” in the boardroom.
By retiring, Crawford prevented the WBC from receiving the $300,000 he already owed them for the belt. Additionally, his retirement meant future billing for the massive Crawford vs. Benavidez or Crawford vs. Bivol.
It also prevented the WBC from formally stripping him as a punishment while he was still energetic.
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Last updated: 23/04/2026 at 12:28
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