IN crushed blue velvet suit, matching gloves and designer sunglasses, Ben Whittaker strode onto the podium for speeches before the storm that is his rematch with Liam Cameron.
At Friday’s press conference, the West Bromwich light-heavyweight chose an outfit that harked back to pop star Prince in his pomp.
Whittaker presented a Beau Brummell figure in the countdown to his Sunday night clash with Cameron on Boxxer’s huge bill at BP Pulse Live Arena, Resorts World.
The 27-year-old former Olympic silver medallist knows how to make an entrance. Yet it his exit from October’s first clash with Cameron that has lingered in fans’ memories.
Ben left the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, in a wheelchair after he and Cameron tumbled dramatically over the ropes in the fifth.
Whittaker, who had strutted and showboated his way to eight straight wins and an international title, escaped with his unbeaten record intact, the bout being declared a technical draw.
But a large amount of stardust that glinted during his impressive career was shed on the stadium floor.
Make no mistake, Whittaker was under the cosh when the unsatisfactory ending came.
He is an undeniable showman, in the mold of Chris Eubank Snr. Cameron, a Sheffield pitbull who simply shrugged off Whittaker’s theatrics and waded forward, made fans question his substance.
What has Ben learned from that real taste of a dog fight? “That I still look good even on the floor,” he told a packed conference at Resorts World’s Hilton Metropole Hotel.
It is another soundbite from a man whose antics are adored by the social media generation, denounced by traditionalist who feel them demeaning to opponents.
And tattooed Cameron, a no-nonsense former Commonwealth champ, may have a point when he said: “I have got way more support from people who want me to do the job.”
Whittaker is pedalling a braggart blueprint honed by young Cassius Clay. You either buy tickets to watch someone button his big mouth or buy tickets to admire his antics.
Either way, you buy tickets.
Despite the posturing, Whittaker is taking the return very seriously, with a new coach on board in former Irish WBO middleweight champ Andy Lee. He knows a reputation has to be re-booted.
And the tickets have flown for this one, with Boxxer boss Ben Shalom confirming 4,000 were sold on fight week alone. The BP Live Arena, a cavernous rock concert venue, is only 1,000 seats short of full capacity.
“It’s huge,” Shalom said. “We knew it was going to be big, but it has been mental. Ben Whittaker, after nine fights, the level of interest in this man’s story is off the scale.”
The rematch, which, frankly, had to take place, has encountered many bumps along the way before being signed, sealed and delivered. It’s not been a smooth ride.
Even on the home stretch, negotiations hit a hurdle. Whittaker’s team wanted the proposed 12 rounder shaved to 10. They got their way – and 34-year-old Cameron, who has lost six of 31 contests, doesn’t care.
He is a Rocky figure, a man simply pleased to be a part of something so big.
“They have paid me a fortune to go from 12 to 10 rounds – six minutes less,” he grinned.
“As a nine-year-old kid, I dreamed of these moments. I’ve absolutely won the lottery, I’m absolutely ecstatic – which is a big word for me. It’s been magic.
“Everyone is saying how much better Ben is going to be, but I’ve had an extra six months in the gym. I have grasped my opportunity with both hands.
“I put myself in a mental state where I’m being that scared dog in the changing room and that brings out the best in me. May the best man win – I’ll (offer to) shake his hand, he can either accept it or not.”
Whittaker accepted it, but warned things will be very different this time round. “I’m ready. I’ve got structure, it’s been a great camp, Andy Lee is a great person to be around,” he said.
“I believe (last time) was the best chance to get me and he (Cameron) didn’t. Sunday is all fresh, all new. I have done all the work in the gym.
“I have nothing against Liam, I’m happy about what’s happened to his career, but it ends on Sunday.”
In its own way, the clash mirrors the big screen re-match between Sly Stallone’s rugged, blue colour boxer Rocky and brash motor-mouth Apollo Creed. Rocky waded through blood and bruises to triumph.
That was Hollywood. Whittaker has warned the real thing will be very different.
