Missy Elliott, Drake, and Symphony Set the Stage for Whittaker's Triumph
Ben Whittaker’s latest professional victory was marked by a spectacular ring entrance and a commanding performance. The British light heavyweight shut out the previously unbeaten Eworitse Ezra Arenyeka over ten rounds, securing scores of 100-90, 99-91, and 99-91. The fight took place at Selhurst Park in London and was featured on Sky Sports/Peacock+.
Theatrical Entrance Captivates the Crowd Whittaker’s entrance set the tone for the night, featuring a dance performance to Missy Elliott's "Get Ur Freak On" and a symphonic cover of Drake's "Over." The 2020 Olympic Silver medalist then focused on the task at hand, displaying his defensive prowess and effective jabs in the opening rounds.
Whittaker’s Dominance in the Ring Whittaker (8-0, 5 KOs) maintained control throughout the fight, delivering body shots and left hooks while neutralizing Arenyeka’s (12-1, 10 KOs) offensive attempts. Arenyeka's taunts and attempts to disrupt Whittaker were met with disciplined defense and strategic counterattacks.
Contentious Moments and Disciplinary Actions The fight saw moments of contention, including a headbutt from Arenyeka after the sixth round and an elbow to Whittaker’s jaw in the seventh, resulting in a point deduction for Arenyeka. Despite these challenges, Whittaker remained composed and continued to dominate the bout.
Final Rounds and Victory In the final rounds, Whittaker switched to a southpaw stance and then back to conventional, maintaining his defensive strategy while landing key body shots. In the last round, Whittaker nearly ended the fight with a decisive four-punch combination, leaving Arenyeka bloodied but still standing as the bell sounded.
Post-Fight Reflections Despite the lack of a knockout, Whittaker expressed satisfaction with his performance. "It was a bit frustrating, I’m not gonna lie,” Whittaker told Sky Sport’s Anna Woolhouse. “But it was a beautiful performance.”
This victory marks Whittaker's third win in a productive 2024 campaign, further solidifying his rising status in the light heavyweight division.