Time for Ben Whittaker to step up

Reaction to another scintillating performance which taught us absolutely nothing

On the undercard of the huge domestic light heavyweight scrap between Joshua Buatsi and Dan Azeez, in the same weight division rapidly rising star Ben ‘The Surgeon’ Whittaker, 6.0.0 (5KOs), put on what is swiftly becoming a trademark performance. Whittaker outclassed, battered and frankly embarrassed another opponent who really had no business being in the same ring as him, waltzing his way to a fifth round demolition over the helpless French journeyman Khalid Graidia, 10.14.5 (20KOs). 

The performance was a blend of his usual showmanship, breath-taking reactions, as well as fantastic repertoire of shot selection and angles. The predictable eulogising has followed after this latest impressive showing, however the reality is after his six professional fights to date, he is yet to face anyone who would even stand a chance of winning a singular round.

The caution in the matchmaking from Boxxer is puzzling given the lack of competitiveness and lessons learnt in Whittakers bouts thus far. It is a stark difference in progression with prospects coming from a similar amateur pedigree such as Galal Yafai, under the more ambitious matchmaking of Matchroom. Ability wise, Whittaker may well already be up there with Buatsi and Azeez, though throwing him into such deep waters at this stage would be foolish. Nevertheless, there is an in between stage which he really should have embarked on a couple of fights back. The likes of Dec Spellman, Ricky Summers and Boris Crighton would all provide at least some form of resistance, before then moving up to British title level soon after.

The standard of opponent needs to improve and it needs to do so swiftly, with sections of fans already becoming disgruntled with the amount of showboating over fighters not in the same league. With Frazier Clarke agreeing to fight Fabio Wardley, Boxxer have shown they are willing to take the riskier fights at what they perceive to be the right time, so hopefully this moment is looming for who may well be the most talented prospect the UK has in its ranks.