Liam Cameron claims Saudi Arabia draw has ‘ruined’ Ben Whittaker’s career
Whittaker struggled against the 26-6-1 Cameron, with both fighters falling out of the ring.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Liam Cameron claims he has “ruined” Ben Whittaker’s career following their draw in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
Cameron had frustrated the Tokyo Olympics silver medallist before an incident where the pair fell out of the ring and the bout was ruled a split-decision technical draw.
The result was the first stain on Whittaker’s previously perfect professional record after he struggled against the 26-6-1 Cameron.
Speaking to the PA news agency, Cameron said: “It’s payback, he’ll learn from it. He’s a young lad who can’t go on like he’s gone on.
“I’ve ruined his career. It’s a very scary place for Ben when he’s in bed and he shuts his eyes at night. He can either fight me and get absolutely battered even when I’m at 50 per cent in there or he doesn’t take the rematch and retires, he’ll get slaughtered online.
“He’s been doing that to his opponents. There’s millions of views of him tapping the tops of their heads, showboating and embarrassing people and now he’s become the embarrassment.
“After the second round he was exhausted. You could see before the fall that he was off balance. I hit him with a body shot and it completely took his breath away.”
Whittaker left in a wheelchair after spraining his ankle in the fall.
Cameron questioned some of Whittaker’s pre-fight antics in the week leading up to their Riyadh Season bout.
I’ve ruined his career. It’s a very scary place for Ben when he’s in bed and he shuts his eyes at night.
“He wore t-shirts which said ‘body bag season’ which I don’t agree on because I have kids and I don’t want to hear it,” Cameron added.
“He said that he hopes I’m OK after this fight and that I don’t get hurt, basically meaning that he’s going to hurt me. He was slating my clothes, I didn’t have money to buy his Louis Vuitton – I wouldn’t wear it anyway.
“He called me all names under the sun. His team were awkward and wouldn’t speak. I nodded to him at the airport and was going to shake his hand, but he blanked me. From that day I thought ‘I’m going to get you’.
“I wasn’t going to let a Ben Whittaker type of guy, who’s not gone through anything I have in life, get past me.”
Since the fight, Cameron has landed a contract with Frank Warren’s Queensbury Promotions.