Ben Whittaker to face Liam Cameron in first significant step up

Former Commonwealth champion should provide ‘The Surgeon’ with some much-needed resistance

Despite being yet to face a significant name who has seriously come to win, Ben 'The Surgeon' Whittaker, 8-0-0 (5KO), is without doubt one of the hottest prospects in the UK right now.

Largely besting a multitude of UK small hall level fighters and European journeyman, recent minor step ups have come in the form of Central Area champ Leon Willings and the unbeaten yet untested Ezra Arenyeka. In both bouts the Olympic silver medallist was taken the full eight and ten round distance respectively, though it must be said it was plain to see the gifted counterpuncher barely got out of first gear.

Given his ‘drunken master’ show boating style, fight fans have long been calling for Whittaker to step up to at least domestic level, to see if such stylistic flamboyancy would remain against more formidable opposition.

On the October 12th Beterbiev vs Bivol Saudi card, finally we seem to be heading in the right direction. In the opposing corner will stand the former Commonwealth middleweight champion, Liam 'The Cannonball' Cameron, 23-6-0 (10KO).

Cameron was a solid domestic level operator from 2014-2017, culminating in winning the Commonwealth title with an impressive eight round stoppage victory of Sam Sheedy. This glory soon turned to obscurity however, with ‘The Cannonball’ given a four-year ban after testing positive for Benzolecgonine, a metabolic acid which is linked to consumption of cocaine.

Though entirely self-inflicted, something which Cameron willingly holds his hands up to, given the far less extensive bans enforced on fighters who have tested positive for PED’s in recent years, many felt this lengthy ban to be harsh, however all complaints and appeals fell on deaf ears. Here commenced an extended period in the boxing abyss, with many of Cameron’s potential best years being spent on the side-lines, pondering as to what could have been.

It is testament to his character however, that after completion of his ban in 2023, Cameron made his long-awaited comeback. After a couple of low-key comeback victories, last time out he was seen pushing world level contender Lyndon Arthur all the way in a hard-fought split decision defeat.

In this fight Cameron exhibited a granite chin, taking a number of flush right hands and never wilting, as well as a solid engine, work rate and genuine desire to win, having his fair share of moments throughout the ten round back and forth battle.

If Cameron comes into this fight with Whittaker with the same mentality, we should learn a thing or two more about the unbeaten 27-year-old.

Whilst Whittaker has looked every bit the blue-chip prospect we suspected to this point, it must be said he has faced technically limited opposition who have largely come in to the ring looking to last the full distance at best.

Critics have drawn comparisons with fellow flashy amateur stand out Josh Kelly. Also being blessed with remarkable hand speed and reflexes, ‘PBK’ looked similarly spectacular in his early fights when allowed to posture and pick his shots at his own pace. When stepping up against more durable opposition who came to win and enforced a higher pace however, it must be said he swiftly looked far more ordinary, with a lack of knockout power also being a perceived limitation.

If Whittaker is able to get the stoppage or even post a wide decision win over Cameron, bettering Lyndon Arthur’s victory, it will be a solid rebuke to those doubting his potential.

The first chapter of Whittaker’s believed ascent to world level honours appears to have now concluded, with Cameron providing the commencement of his arrival at British level. After October 12th, we should be presented with a few more clues as to how far beyond this point Whittaker’s technical gifts could take him.