Ben Shalom believes Ben Whittaker’s recent setback against Liam Cameron could ultimately “be the making” of his boxing career.
Whittaker, often regarded as one of boxing’s brightest prospects, faced a tough challenge against domestic fighter Cameron during the undercard of the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol event. Despite high expectations, the fight took an unfortunate turn for Whittaker, ending in dramatic fashion.
Whittaker’s night came to a grim conclusion when a fall during the match left him seriously injured, resulting in him being taken out of the ring in a wheelchair. The bout was declared a draw, with Whittaker suffering neck and ankle injuries. Fans are now calling for an immediate rematch, but Whittaker will first need to recover.
Shalom, who witnessed the difficult night unfold, expressed his sympathy for Whittaker and shared insights into the fighter’s frustration.
“It was a tough night for Ben,” Shalom told *talkSPORT Drive*. “I’ve never seen him perform like that. From the first round, I could tell something was off. His energy wasn’t right, his timing was off, and he was getting hit with shots he would normally avoid. A focused Ben Whittaker should have handled Liam Cameron with no problem, so there’s clearly a need for significant changes.”
Despite the disappointment, Shalom is confident that Whittaker will come back stronger. “In some ways, this could be a pivotal moment for him. He’s become a recognizable face overnight, but he needs to focus on getting things right in the ring. I truly believe this experience will make him a better fighter. He’s a perfectionist, and he will learn from this.”
When asked about Whittaker’s return to the ring, Shalom revealed that Whittaker will need time to recover.
“He’s undergoing rehab now. He was originally scheduled to fight again in December, but that won’t happen. I believe we’ll see the rematch, but not until he’s fully recovered. Hopefully, he can return early in 2025.”
Whittaker, who has garnered attention as one of boxing’s hottest rising stars, will likely need to secure a win over Cameron to regain his momentum. Meanwhile, Cameron has accused Whittaker of “quitting” during the fight and is eager for a rematch.
Speaking to *talkSPORT*, Cameron stated, “There was a game plan to slowly break him down, and it worked. He was calling me slow, making fun of my body, but now it’s not looking good for him. I feel like I’ve ruined his image. He said he was going to make me a meme, but now he’s the meme.”
The tension between the two fighters continues to build, and fans are eagerly awaiting the potential rematch.
