Modern Prince Naseem Hamed: Is Ben Whittaker the New Knockout Sensation?
He's dubbed as the eccentric clown. Yet millions are fascinated by him. Is he a flash from West Bromwich or a new boxing star? Ultimately, he's compared to the great Prince Naseem Hamed. Well, let's try to figure it out.
From a young age, Ben had a passion for sports, but boxing always held a special place in his heart. Under the guidance of his first coach, Jimmy Moore, Ben began his journey as a boxer at the age of ten. It wasn't long before Moore recognized Ben's natural talent and potential.
Ben's amateur career kicked off on February 9th, 2014, at the age of seventeen. In his debut match, he secured his first victory, setting the stage for what was to come.
Throughout his amateur career, Ben amassed an impressive record of seventy fights, with fifty-six wins and fourteen losses. Notably, he never suffered a knockout defeat.
Competing in European and world championships from the age of seventeen, Ben reached the finals of the European Games at nineteen, although he fell short of victory.
Despite his numerous accomplishments, Ben always aimed for gold.
Disappointed with anything less, he faced a bitter defeat in the final of the 2020 Summer Olympics against Arlen Lopez, settling for silver.
His refusal to wear the medal sparked controversy worldwide, with Ben later explaining to BBC, "You don't win silver, you lose gold."
Reflecting on his actions, Ben admitted his behavior was inappropriate and issued an apology to his fans.