Spencer Oliver believes Ben Whittaker’s actions were as a result of the high stakes for his rematch with Liam Cameron.
Whittaker faced Cameron for the second time, looking to settle the scores after their opening bout saw the pair tumble out of the ring with the fight scored a draw.
He did so in emphatic fashion, stopping Cameron in the second round with a brutal barrage.
But his actions after the fight were heavily criticised, as he ran to Cameron’s corner and confronted his cornerman Grant Smith.
He was even accused of spitting at Smith, something which was later denied, with the pair burying the hatchet and shaking hands afterwards.
And talkSPORT Boxing expert Oliver believes Whittaker simply got caught up in the heat of the moment.
He said: “There was so much pressure on this kid’s shoulders.
“He’s been talking the talk and he didn’t deliver in Saudi Arabia, and he answered the questions.
“He’s boxing at the highest level and he’s adding pressure to his shoulders. Can you imagine the emotion?
“I didn’t think it was wrong, the outburst of emotions coming out. He had to keep his career up last night.
“Because of his character and persona, he had to win emphatically and he certainly delivered.”
Whittaker faced criticism but was visibly emotional in the ring after his devastating win.
GettyWhittaker was hugely emotional and confronted his rival’s corner[/caption]
He was consoled by trainer Andy Lee in his corner moments after the outburst as he broke down in tears.
And he showed sportsmanship calming down and saluting Cameron’s efforts by shaking and raising his hand.
In his post-fight press conference, he broke down again in tears.
And he explained exactly why emotions took over at the end of the clash.
“Truthfully, nothing has changed if I’m honest, I knew I should be doing that to people like Liam Cameron, no disrespect, but it was the six months out,” Whittaker said.
“Stuff like my brother had two daughters, I couldn’t really enjoy it too much because of what I was going through online.
GettyBut Whittaker did get the job done and the rivalry is over[/caption]
“And it didn’t really bother me, but even close friends, people that I classed as family, left me.
“They had a lot to say about me, but it was a great time to go back to the old Ben Whittaker.
“We trained hard, and after a couple of days he said ‘You’re going to knock him out’.
“And I just believed in him [trainer Andy Lee], he believed in me, and I went out there and did what I was supposed to do in Saudi.”
Whittaker now faces a big future, and has the chance to be a real superstar.
