I’d never thought of the prospect of matching Callum Smith with David Morrell but when it was announced I thought “Wow – that makes total sense”. I was very much looking forward to it.
I’m still disappointed that it’s not going to happen on Saturday night. I favoured Morrell for victory, but Smith’s power can never be overlooked – Morrell’s been down in the past, and Smith can punch with both hands and potentially end a fight at any time. I was also expecting a very entertaining fight.
The substitute as the main event, Ben Whittaker-Braian Nahuel Suarez is, I suspect, more appealing to British fight fans than those overseas – and I write that as one of Whittaker’s admirers. If Matchroom were planning for Whittaker to headline I don’t believe that they would have matched him with Suarez. Whittaker fighting anyone on the undercard of Smith-Morrell’s a strong card. Whittaker-Suarez as the main event isn’t.
Matchroom are improving matchmakers. The first fight with Liam Cameron, when Whittaker was with Boxxer, proved too big a step up for him. He then did what he was supposed to do in the rematch. But it seems like Eddie Hearn, having so recently lost one of his British stars in Conor Benn to Zuffa Boxing, and aware that Anthony Joshua, also of Britain, is ageing, is being more careful with Whittaker, because he knows that Whittaker has the ability to be a star in the UK as well, and appears to be building him cautiously and methodically.
Whittaker training under Andy Lee is very promising. Lee has the makings of an excellent coach; he has a great boxing mind, especially having been a high-level fighter, and I believe that not only is that under-appreciated, but that it goes a long way. We’ve seen some great fighters struggle to make great coaches, especially recently, but there’s something encouraging about former fighters becoming successful trainers. He seems to be particularly good at communicating, which looks likely to go a long way with someone like Whittaker, who’s so physically gifted and, if anything, needs nurturing psychologically. When Jason Quigley fought Edgar Berlanga, Lee coached him through all 12 rounds brilliantly and got the absolute most out of him. Lee’s also well schooled in the traditions of the Kronk, where tall, rangy fighters – like Whittaker – often develop into punchers.
Whittaker has crazy athleticism, a good build, fast hands, great reactions, and potentially respectable power. In other words he passes the eye test – he’s very slick and has a flashy style. But a lot of question marks remain. He lacks experience – what happens when he has to confront another gut check, like he did in the first fight with Cameron? On that night he didn’t respond well. We also don’t know enough about his chin, how his power will fare at a higher level, and how well he can go 12 rounds.
Suarez is limited at Whittaker’s level. Perhaps most telling is that he was stopped by Lyndon Arthur, who’s a good fighter, but not a puncher. He’s intended to provide Whittaker with a mild test.
Unless Whittaker folds under someone who’s physically strong, and perhaps durable – on paper he’s a puncher – he ought to look spectacular. I expect him to dominate and get the stoppage by the middle rounds, if not earlier.
Hearn has spoken about showcasing Whittaker in the US. Whittaker’s good looking; he’s got an entertaining style; he’s brash; he’s got an aura. I believe the fight fans there would appreciate him. If he proves to have the mental strength required to succeed at the top, he could have it all.
We recently saw Josh Kelly, also of Britain, realise his potential in victory over Bakhram Murtazaliev, having previously broken under pressure. It’s right that there are question marks around Whittaker, but Kelly’s just shown that the answers for them can be found.
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I’d like to congratulate my fellow former junior welterweight Regis Prograis on reaching retirement. He had an amazing career. He was moved brilliantly, in no small part due to him having a ton of heart and guts. He also took some important and smart risks, and had some fantastic nights. Even after bowing out after defeat he has every right to be very satisfied with his performance that night and everything he achieved.
