Watch: Boxer makes bizarre ‘lion' defence after spitting accusations
Ben Whittaker was forced to deny spitting at Liam Cameron's corner after taunting his team as he secured victory in their IBF light-heavyweight title rematch.
During wild scenes, Olympic silver medallist Whittaker poked his head through the ropes to celebrate a ferocious second round display in the face of Cameron's cornermen.
The scenes drew boos from the crowd, with some onlookers believing he spat towards members of the entourage. However, Whittaker, who was in tears amid criticism later, and Cameron's trainer, Grant Smith, have since clarified nobody was spat on.
Whittaker had rocked Cameron with a big right hand at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, and his follow-up flurry swiftly ended the contest with the Sheffield fighter on shaky legs.
Ben Whittaker stops Liam Cameron in the second round! 😱 #WhittakerCameron2 | Live on Sky Sports pic.twitter.com/uaASKbzDDQ
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) April 20, 2025
Denying that he had spat in the corner, Whittaker told Sky Sports: 'You heard everybody boo me, they portray me as a bad guy. But I work very hard and my emotions came out – and I was roaring like a lion. If a little bit of dribble came out a bit of dribble came out.'
Whittaker and Cameron met in a hugely controversial fight last time out, which ended in a draw after the pair tumbled out of the ring. After disputes and a tense rivalry forming, the pair met again in Wolverhampton in front of a sell-out crowd.
Whittaker's trainer Andy Lee said: 'The barrage of insults he's had to put up since the first fight with Cameron… not many people could put up with what he's gone through. His emotions are bound to get carried away. He is an emotional guy and he did lose control, but this is a champion.'
The first fight ended in bizarre circumstances last October when both men fell over the ropes and Whittaker was unable to continue because of an injury.
RING CHAOS! The moment Ben Whittaker and Liam Cameron went over the ropes 😳 #BeterbievBivol | #RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/Vc5OjpjlUS
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) October 13, 2024
The judges scored a split-decision draw, but Whittaker left the arena in a wheelchair before the results were read out and there was plenty of bad blood between the two fighters before their rematch.
As a row simmered on Monday about whether Whittaker had spat on Smith, the trainer confirmed to iFL TV that he had not. A post on X from the boxing YouTube channel said: 'Grant Smith has just confirmed to us that Ben Whittaker did not spit on him in the aftermath of his stoppage win over Liam Cameron.'
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