- Ben Whittaker survived a headbutt and an elbow from Ezra Arenyeka in London
- The Englishman cruised to a points victory after surviving his rival’s antics
- Tempers from a spicy construct-up threatened to spill into the Selhurst Park ring
British boxing’s final showman Ben Whittaker overcame a headbutt and an elbow from his fiery opponent Ezra Arenyeka to coast his method to a one-sided points victory on the undercard of Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe’s world title battle at Selhurst Park.
After a spicy construct-up that noticed Whittaker seize his opponent’s throat at Friday’s remaining face-off in response to being accused of performing ‘like a kid’ with his in-ring antics, tempers threatened to spill over into the ring in a battle that Whittaker dominated, incomes a 100-89 verdict on one decide’s card, with the opposite two scoring it 99-90.
Having been outclassed for the primary half of the ten-spherical contest, Arenyeka aimed a headbutt at the 2021 Olympic silver medallist at the tip of the sixth spherical after Whittaker mockingly walked him again to his nook.
Arenyeka acquired a stern telling-off from the referee however had not cooled down moments later, and proceeded to goal an elbow at Whittaker throughout a clinch in the next spherical.
This time, the referee had no selection however to step in and deduct a level from the underdog.
Ben Whittaker outclassed Ezra Areyeka to coast his method to a points victory in London
The Englishman survived a headbutt from his opponent at the tip of the sixth spherical
He additionally withstood an elbow as Areyeka cranked up his soiled ways as tempers flared
Whittaker coasted his method by way of the remainder of the battle and there have been no doubts that he would get his hand raised, however the flamboyant mild-heavyweight could have been a little upset with failing to get a stoppage on the large stage.
The 27-12 months-outdated relishes placing on a present and that started earlier than the battle even acquired underway.
Whittaker danced and shimmied his method to the ring with the assistance of a symphonic orchestra as he lapped up the adulation of 15,000 followers.
It was a extended ring stroll that saved Arenyeka ready, however Whittaker acquired straight down to enterprise when the opening bell rang.
Donning pink gloves, Whittaker snapped Arenyeka’s head again with a crisp proper hand immediately earlier than repeating the feat. Arenyeka tried to fireplace again however might solely hit recent air, main to Whittaker shaking his head with disdain earlier than goading his opponent.
Arenyeka refused to be intimidated and dropped his gloves, drawing cheers from the gang, however Whittaker was in management from the outset.
The showboating from Whittaker continued in the second as he spent as a lot time looking the ring as at his opponent. But he nonetheless landed sharp counters on his over-matched rival, hurting Arenyeka with a left hook to the physique and then the identical shot to the temple.
Arenyeka related with a proper hand in the third to remind Whittaker that he was nonetheless in the competition, however that solely served to fireplace Whittaker up as he ripped residence a number of uppercuts to ship Arenyeka backpedalling in direction of the ropes.
Whittaker managed the battle and can be upset not to have knocked out Areyeka
The battle was on the undercard of Chris Billam-Smith’s WBO world cruiserweight title win over Richard Riakporhe
Selhurst Park’s crowd have been left entertained however wanting extra after seeing an eventful contest
The writing was on the wall, and the sample of the battle continued into the fourth spherical. Whittaker had discovered his groove and clipped Arenyeka from all angles, with his opponent having minimal success in return.
To his credit score, Arenyeka continued to trudge forwards and discovered the goal in the fifth, however couldn’t bother Whittaker who danced across the ring and grinned at these fortunate sufficient to snap up ringside seats.
If Arenyeka was beginning to acquire any confidence in the fifth, it evaporated the next spherical as Whittaker began to put collectively flashy mixtures that left his opponent clinging on.
And then got here Arenyeka’s two moments of insanity. Could Whittaker have put his foot on the gasoline to punish Arenyeka for his behaviour?
In equity, he tried in the ultimate spherical, with Arenyeka wobbling across the ring as the ultimate bell rang after a barrage of punches from Whittaker.
But he held on and Whittaker had to accept a points win, leaving the gang entertained however nonetheless wanting extra.