BEN WHITTAKER may turn out to be the most recent title to hitch the rising checklist of fighters to field in Saudi Arabia.
Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s Normal Leisure Authority, is believed to be a fan of the British light-heavyweight. Boxxer, who at the moment promote Whittaker, haven’t been concerned with the boxing increase within the Center East which has seen the likes of Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Deontay Wilder battle there in latest months.
Whittaker returns to the ring on June 15 in opposition to Nigerian Ezra Arenyeka. Their 10-round contest takes place open air at Selhurst Park, the house of Crystal Palace FC, on a card headlined by the WBO cruiserweight title battle between Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe.
At yesterday’s press convention, Boxing Information requested Whittaker if we would see him battle in Saudi Arabia someday.
“100 per cent,” he enthused.
“I feel that’s the place the big-time boxing goes now. And [with] big-time boxing you bought to say my title. I’m solely seven fights in however I deliver lots of razzmatazz. It’s what individuals need to see particularly out in Saudi. [It’s] one thing that we will undoubtedly see within the close to future however for now [I’ve] received to concentrate on what’s subsequent.”
What’s subsequent is a problem in opposition to a fellow unbeaten 175lb fighter who’s loud, brash, in your face and assured. Throughout a press convention for Whittaker’s final battle – in opposition to Leon Willings – Arenyeka interrupted proceedings, calling out the “The Surgeon” whereas making to look a reputation for himself. He now has the prospect to trigger one of many greatest upsets of the yr. So, why did Whittaker conform to the battle?
“The [WBA Gold] belt is there. It got here with him, and I stated, ‘why not.’ He got here into the press convention, noticed his alternative. I’m going to indicate why he shouldn’t try this once more.”
