Ex-world champ sends Whittaker seven-word warning over 'flashy style'

Former featherweight world champion Billy Dib believes Ben Whittaker 'can't afford' to take risks with his 'flashy and flamboyant' style amid a controversial end to his fight against Liam Cameron on Saturday. 

Whittaker entered as the heavy favourite and started brightly in Saudi Arabia, but began to fade as Cameron found his range and timing.

The contest reached a bizarre conclusion in the fifth round when both fighters tumbled over the top rope, with security rushing over to ensure neither man fell to the floor.

Although Cameron appeared unfazed by the incident and hopped straight back to his feet, Whittaker was left worse for wear.

The Olympic silver medallist required attention on his right foot and was unable to continue.

The 27-year-old was taken back to his dressing room in a wheelchair after the premature end to the action.

A result was still able to be gained from the judges' scorecards because the pair had fought enough rounds.

One gave it 58-57 for Whittaker, another had it 58-57 for Cameron while the third had it a 58-58 draw, meaning the fight ended as a technical split decision draw.

It was the first of Whittaker's nine professional bouts he looked to be in some strife given his lack of mid-fight showboating, a trait that had become somewhat of a trademark for the Brit in his previous fights.

Dib,  a two-division world champion, believes it is something Whittaker may have to curb as the level of competition increases. 

'When I first turned pro, my style was flashy and flamboyant, but I quickly learned that as the competition gets tougher, you can't afford to take those risks,' Dib wrote on X.

'I think Ben Whittaker could learn some valuable lessons from today's draw.' 

Although Dib offered a measured take, boxing fans on social media were nowhere near as kind, with many claiming he sought an early exit.

One fan wrote on X: 'Ben Whittaker has took the easy way out and nobody can tell me otherwise.'

Another posted: 'If Ben Whittaker is the future of boxing then the asteroid can't come soon enough.' 

A third said: 'Yeah Ben Whittaker is a joke man he knew what he was doing.'

Even British former IBF bantamweight world champion Stuart Hall tore into the West Midlander: 'Ben Whitaker (sic) exposed BOTTLE JOB a*** has gone he wanted out'.

Some boxing fans even went as far as branding the West Midlander as Ben 'Quittaker'.

One fan posted: 'Ben Quittaker obviously could have carried on'.

Another added: 'Ben Quittaker fought someone that has experience and wasn't a can, got hurt and looked for a way out.'

Whittaker himself is yet to offer his verdict on the bout as the world awaits to learn the severity of his foot injury that rendered him unable to walk back to his dressing room.

Cameron was left seething at the ending claiming to DAZN that his opponent 'didn't want no more.'

'He were very tired, he give me his last 30 seconds,' Cameron said. 'He had nothing left. Kid was knackered from round two. But look, I definitely beat him.'