THERE is nothing like a domestic grudge match and the blend of personalities and differences in character have moulded the rivalry between Ben Whittaker, 8-0-1 (5 KOs), and Liam Cameron, 23-6-1 (10 KOs), into one of the fiercest in British boxing.
After their controversial first encounter, Whittaker and Cameron are now finally poised to settle their differences and meet once again, headlining a bill in Birmingham’s BP Pulse Live in nine weeks’ time.
Having been relatively untested in the early stages of his career, Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medallist Whittaker answered the call to step up in both opposition and stage by agreeing to face a resurgent Liam Cameron in Riyadh back in October, with the latter fresh from a harsh split-decision defeat to Lyndon Arthur.
In what became the most talked about fight on the legendary Beterbiev-Bivol undercard, Whittaker’s usual showboating and slick boxing skills were nowhere to be seen, as Cameron assumed control of the contest from the third round onwards and appeared to be well in control.
With ‘The Surgeon’ lacking his viral tools and tiring fast, the upset seemed inevitable as the rough and rugged approach of fan-favourite Cameron continued to march and grind Whittaker down, so much so that the pair toppled over the top rope in one of the most bizarre moments of 2024.
Upon his re-entry to the ring, a wounded Whittaker was deemed injured and unable to continue, but whether those wounds were physical or mental ones is a question that fans may never know the answer to.
Yet, on the judges’ scorecards, Whittaker managed to escape with an eyebrow-raising technical split draw to maintain his undefeated record, much to the disgust of Cameron and his team.
Following months of calls for a shot at vengeance from the ‘Cannonball’, it has now been announced that an immediate rematch will take place on April 20th at the BP Pulse Live Arena in Birmingham.
Speaking ahead of what is sure to be a tough task for Whittaker at this point in his career, the ever-confident light-heavyweight assured fans that he will silence his doubters and make easy work of Cameron this time around.
Ben Whittaker said: “This is an opportunity for me to give the fans a decisive result. There’s no doubt in my mind that this time, there will be no room for controversy. This time, we will finish it on my terms.
“To all the fans who supported me and even those that have doubted me, this one’s for you. April 20th, I’m home and I’m going to give the people something special.”
Liam Cameron said: “I’m pleased to get this fight confirmed. I feel like I was winning the last fight before he tried pretending to be a WWE star and pulled me over the top rope. I really believe I would have stopped him, but that’s in the past now, we’re ready to go on April 20th.
“I want to thank my manager and my promoters Frank and George Warren for helping to get this rematch over the line. I look forward to getting in there and finishing the job.”
Alongside the much-demanded main event, fan-friendly super-welterweight Sam Eggington, 35-9 (20 KOs), will collide with Lee Cutler, 15-1 (7 KOs), in a fight that is sure to catch fire, whilst Frazer Clarke, 8-1-1 (6 KOs), returns to action after his brutal first-round defeat to Fabio Wardley last October.
