I swear to God, nothing gets my blood pumping like a proper boxing grudge match. And this one? It's personal as hell.
Liam Cameron isn't just fighting Ben Whittaker on Easter Sunday in Birmingham. He's coming for everything - the fame, the glory, teh spotlight that Whittaker's been basking in. Six months after their Saudi Arabia fiasco (which I still can't believe I stayed up till 4am to watch), these two are finally gonna settle the score that's been festering since October.
That Saudi Mess Still Haunts Me
Let me take you back to that night in Riyadh. I was three beers deep when these two went toppling over the top rope like something out of WWE. Five rounds in, judges had to step in with scorecards after they both crashed out of the ring in what has to be one of the weirdest endings I've seen in 15 years covering boxing.
Whittaker got wheeled out looking like death warmed up. Meanwhile Cameron was standing there ready to continue, looking robbed of his moment.
Most boxing people I talked to afterward thought Cameron was on his way to pulling off the upset of the year. My buddy Dave (who's been training fighters since 2008) texted me: "Cameron had him figured out. Whittaker was drowning."
Why This Fight Matters So Damn Much
Cameron laid it all out to Ariel Helwani recently. His exact words: "This is life-changing for me. This is mega, mega-stardom for me in my own head. This is everything for me."
That hit me hard. This isn't just another payday for Cameron.
He went even further: "This is, in a way, life or death in boxing. Do you know what it is? It's one fight at a time [but] this is how much I want to win this fight — if I could win [just] one more [fight] in my life, and lose every single one of them [after that], it'd be this one."
When's the last time you heard a boxer talk like that? No PR polish. No canned responses. Just raw desperation from a guy who sees his one big chance.
Did Whittaker Actually Quit?
Look, I'm not supposed to take sides as a journalist, but Cameron's version of what happened in Saudi is fascinating. He claims Whittaker was unraveling before the fall.
"I can remember thinking, I'm going to start [going through the gears], he's unraveling — I'm going to stop him," Cameron told Helwani. "So I [stepped on the] gas a bit and hit him with some body shots, and he fell off balance, and he's falling [onto] me."
Then comes the juicy part.
"He's hitting me low, he's holding a lot, he's spitting his gum shield out... It's like when you're having a hard spar sometimes, it's horrible, [isn't] it? And you're tired — and that's what it [was] like for Ben."
Cameron didn't stop there. "He didn't want [any] part [of the fight], his emotions got to him, he [was] looking all over. I study body language and stuff — I watched everything of that fight, and he [was] like a rabbit in the headlights."
Contract Drama? Of Course There Is
I spent $75 on dinner with an insider last week who gave me the real scoop on this mess. Apparently, Cameron signed for a 12-round fight while Whittaker's contract specified 10 rounds. Classic boxing incompetence! (I've seen promoters mess up worse though - remember when they announced the wrong purse split at that press conference in 2019? Poor Johnson nearly flipped the table.)
Cameron wasn't having it: "When I [was] signing, I thought, 'This is a bit strange.' [Whittaker was] tired after five [rounds] the last time, and this is [for] a 12, it [doesn't] make sense."
Promoter Ben Shalom tried to smooth things over with some cash, but Cameron pushed back. As of yesterday, I'm hearing they're still sorting through this mess.
The "You Took Me Lightly" Excuse Is Getting Old
One thing that's clearly driving Cameron nuts is this narrative that opponents only struggle against him because they weren't properly prepared.
"I've [now] got confidence in myself," he said. "It can't be every time that people are having bad performances, they're [taking] me lightly. It was the same with [Arthur] before Ben."
I feel him on this. Nothing worse than having your achievements diminished.
"I [was] on the GB podium [squad], and I turned it down and went pro. I've got pedigree, I am a good fighter. I am, it's been proven now. I just don't like the fact that people [are] saying, 'Oh, it's an off night.'"
He's right. Whittaker had everything to gain in Saudi - a December headline spot in America was waiting. No way he took that fight lightly.
Sunday's Verdict?
I've watched both men train this week. Cameron looks like he's in the shape of his life - dropped the beer gut he was sporting back in January. Whittaker still has that Olympic pedigree, but Cameron's question lingers: What has he really done in four years as a pro?
My prediction? Don't bet against hunger. And nobody in British boxing is hungrier than Liam Cameron right now.
This isn't just a rematch. It's a man fighting for his life in the sport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Boxing can I begin at any age?
You can start boxing at any time as long as your doctor has cleared you and you are in good physical health. Boxing adapts to all fitness levels and age groups.
How should I wrap my hand for boxing?
Hand wrapping is crucial in boxing to protect your hands and wrists from injury. Start by unwinding wraps. Place the thumb loop around the middle of your thumb. Wrap the wrap over the palm and wrist. Cross your fingers between each other, then cover your knuckles. Finally, secure the wrap with Velcro.
What are the basics of boxing punches?
The basic boxing punches are the jab and cross. A quick, straight strike is delivered with the front hand.
Can I learn to box at home?
You can learn boxing by watching instructional videos on YouTube or using fitness apps. However, it is recommended that you train in a gym under the guidance of a coach who has been trained to ensure that you are mastering your techniques. A boxing club also offers the equipment you need and the chance to work with other people.
What should I concentrate on as a boxing beginner?
As a beginner, your focus should be on learning proper form and technique. The basics include learning how to punch, building a strong defence, improving footwork, and improving conditioning. Start slow, focus on technique rather than power, and consult a coach with experience.
What is the best way to learn boxing for beginners?
Beginners do not need to spar right away. This is only necessary once they have a good foundation of the basics and are in good physical condition. Sparring under the supervision and wearing protective gear is essential to ensure safety.
Statistics
- Surveys reveal that close to 40% of new boxers join the sport for self-defense purposes rather than for competition or fitness.
- Boxing has one of the lowest rates of injury compared to other contact sports, with approximately 1.1 injuries per 1,000 minutes of athletics.
- It is estimated that 60% of beginner boxers do not use the correct size gloves, which can increase the risk of injury.
- Around 90% of boxers suffer a minor injury over the course of a year, with only 10-15% experiencing a moderate to severe injury.
- Nearly 95% of boxing trainers agree that mental conditioning is just as important as physical training for beginners in the sport.
- Approximately 80% of boxing injuries occur during training, not in actual competition.
- An analysis of boxing workouts demonstrates that participants can maintain a heart rate at 75-85% of their maximum, which is the optimal range for cardiovascular training.
- On average, beginners who undergo proper boxing training can expect to burn anywhere from 300 to 500 calories per hour.
- On average, beginner boxers improve their punching power by 10%-20% after six months of consistent training.
- Research indicates that nearly 70% of punches thrown by boxers during a match are jabs.
External Links
How To
How to mentally prepare yourself for boxing?
Boxing requires a strong mental approach. Before training, develop a routine which could include mental rehearsals and visualization of techniques. You can also set goals for each training session. Stress management and improved focus can be achieved by using mindfulness techniques like meditation, and positive self talk. Boxing is as important for learning and improving as it as about competition. Be sure to go into each session open-minded and with determination.
CricketBoxingFormula 1GolfHorse RacingPremier LeagueTennisDartsPrivacy PolicyTerms And Conditions
