BEN Whittaker and Liam Cameron resume hostilities this Sunday as their highly-anticipated rematch heads to Birmingham. This wasn’t really supposed to be a rivalry at all, with many expecting Cameron to serve as a nuisance yardstick, briefly blocking Ben’s path to world level.
We all saw the shenanigans in Riyadh. Whittaker started strongly, fumbled and fell over the top rope, prompting a premature end to the bout. This new date was secured once he returned to civilisation. The question now is: who will join this punching pair on April 20? Let’s look over the Boxxer undercard.
Frazer Clarke vs. Ebenezer Tetteh
How much has Frazer Clarke got left? Six months after the big Olympian was stunned by Fabio Wardley in Riyadh, he returns to get a feel for his future. Apart from a sterling effort out in Gibraltar last December, Ghana’s Tetteh has shown zero form at any decent level. The longer he lasts here, the wider the microscope will be on Clarke’s career prospects.
Lee Cutler vs. Sam Eggington
Unless something unforeseen occurs, it’s hard to see this being anything other than a barnburner. Eggington started out as a journeyman but has surpassed all career expectations. Most of his efforts are Fight of the Year material.
Cutler doesn’t do boring fights, either. Known as ‘Chaos’, the Bournemouth man was last seen upsetting 15-0 Irishman Stephen McKenna. Cutler has rebuilt sufficiently since a 2021 one-round cold swipe from Brad Rea. This is good matchmaking.
Tyler Denny vs. Elvis Ahorgah
Anyone who thought Elvis left the building following his loss to Callum Simpson in February is wrong. The Ghanaian ‘Soldier’ is back and ready for action. Returning after his shelling at the fists of Hamzah Sheeraz in Wembley, former European champion Denny could do with a confidence-building display.
Troy Coleman vs. Bradley Goldsmith
A nice slot for local man Coleman, whose form has been patchy when stepping outside of the Area level comfort zone. If 12-0 Goldsmith is going anywhere, the Coventry puncher must make a step-up statement here.
Elliot Whale vs. Lucas Ballingall
Unbeaten Kent southpaw Whale has a couple of decent wins over Darren Tetley and Lloyd Germain. Portsmouth’s Ballingall has boxed in better company but also lost along the way.
That said, Lucas is on a five-fight unbeaten streak with wins over Boy Jones Jr, Billy Pickles and Kaisee Benjamin. That’s good form and this could be a good scrap. Shame it wasn’t made for 10 rounds, instead of eight.
Mark Jeffers vs. Ricardo Lara
Chorley man Jeffers is 19-0, holds points wins over Zak Chelli and Germaine Brown and yet is still fiddling around at six-round level. Surely a bigger opportunity will present once he dismisses Mexican beating-stick Lara?
