Ben Whittaker vs Liam Cameron Predictions: ‘The Surgeon’ scrubs in

Love him or hate him, there’s no denying Ben Whittaker. The controversial light heavyweight takes on former Commonwealth middleweight champion Liam Cameron this Saturday, October 12. The fight takes place on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol’s undisputed light heavyweight title showdown. The Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia will host with DAZN PPV, Sky Sports Box Office and TNT Sports Box Office all broadcasting.

Here are my Whittaker vs Cameron predictions ahead of a tasty tussle.

Olympic silver medallist Whittaker has made the pro game look easy in his eight fights. Too easy for some, who take issue with his showboating ways. Whittaker has a style that is eulogised post-career. Like Naseem Hamed and Roy Jones Jr. before him, you figure that the pearl-clutching will abate if he goes on to clinch world titles.

But for now, many view him as a flat-track bully who fights to humiliate. But how else should a 27-year-old prospect who is just so much better than his opponents act? Whittaker adds an injection of fun to the undercards he fights on. It can be tiring watching a parade of potential stars beat up hapless journeymen in fight after fight. Sometimes, it’s refreshing watching Whittaker dance, chat with ringside fans or hit his opponents without even looking at them.

‘The Surgeon’ quietened some of the dissent last time out. Whittaker faced 12-0 Ezra Arenyeka for the vacant IBF international light heavyweight title. The Nigerian came in with 10 knockouts on his record, but his punches did little to trouble the Brit. 

The headbutt and elbow Arenyeka landed didn’t phase Whittaker either. Against a solid opponent who would stop at nothing, the 27-year-old boxed his usual dominant and often-comical way and walked out with an eighth career victory.

Despite Arenyeka’s unbeaten record, the 23-6 Cameron is perhaps the best opponent Whittaker has fought as a professional. The 33-year-old is a former Commonwealth middleweight champion and two-time challenger for the super middleweight version. After a five-year retirement in the wake of a failed drugs test, Cameron is making up for lost time.

Cameron is 3-1 in his comeback with two knockouts. After facing journeyman opposition in those initial bouts, ‘Cannonball’ took on the considerable challenge of Lyndon Arthur last time out. ‘King Arthur’ is a former world title challenger who has been the distance with Dmitry Bivol and beaten Anthony Yarde. But Cameron hung with him in a rough fight, losing a split decision but putting a lot of credit in the bank for his performance against a world class opponent.

Cameron will hang in there. In his six defeats, the Yorkshireman has never been stopped. Crucially, he has also learned from his mistakes both in and out of the ring. Cameron was the reigning Commonwealth champion when the ban took place. The fact he is taking on the stiffest challenges available on the comeback trail speaks to his heart.

Heart only gets you so far, of course. Cameron will have fan support and his style and grit is easy to like. He is a stark contrast to the showboating Whittaker and the more traditionally-minded will be cheering him on. But his orthodoxy could make him a target for Whittaker’s wanton rewriting of boxing’s sacred rules.

Whittaker shows you angles, slides away from your counter and laughs. He holds court with the front row while catching you with his jab. He wears Prince Naseem-referencing shorts while evoking the heady days of that Wincobank-honed style. ‘The Surgeon’ is a throwback and a glimpse into the future, all at once. Cameron has to contend with all that and more in Riyadh.

Ben Whittaker vs Liam Cameron Fight Odds

Whittaker is a mammoth 1/33 to prevail in this fight. Cameron is a 10/1 underdog. You can back the draw at 25/1.

Ben Whittaker vs Liam Cameron Full Card

Artur Beterbiev (c) vs. Dmitry Bivol (c); IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO light heavyweight titles Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Kamil Szeremeta; Middleweights 

Fabio Wardley (c) vs. Frazer Clarke II for the British heavyweight title 

Jai Opetaia (c) vs. Jack Massey for the IBF and The Ring cruiserweight titles 

Ben Whittaker vs. Liam Cameron; Light Heavyweights 

Skye Nicolson (c) vs. Raven Chapman for the WBC featherweight title 

Mohammed Alakel vs. Jesus Gonzalez

Ben Whittaker vs Liam Cameron Predictions

As with any boxer who fights in his carefree style, one day Whittaker will face a dark night of the soul. Hamed had Barrera. Roy Jones Jr. had Antonio Tarver. Inevitably there is a shelf life to such a relaxed gait, so reliant on reflexes. It is all about what lies behind the hubris.

But Cameron is not equipped to ask these questions of ‘The Surgeon’. I see this being one-sided. Whittaker might have to put up with some rough stuff, like the Arenyeka fight. But he’ll be fine.

I think Whittaker will do everything but stop Cameron. No one else has managed it and I think the Olympian will be happy to rack up points and additions to his highlight reel. My pick is Whittaker on points at 10/11.

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