標籤: Crawfords

The storyline between Ben Whittaker and Terence Crawford has begun to take shape, marking a clear turn in the British boxer’s career. Ben Whittaker revealed in an interview that a short meeting with Terence Crawford in Dubai made him rethink how he fights.

The 28-year-old has earned a name for her charming style, but that moment got her thinking. They shared the exchange after a first-round stoppage of Brian Suarez in his latest fight, Liverpool. Since then there has been a clear change in his performance. The relationship between Ben Whittaker and Terence Crawford has now come as a turning point in how he views his fights.

Ben Whittaker and Terence Crawford: The moment that sparked change

The relationship between Ben Whittaker and Terence Crawford started with a simple comment. Whittaker described what happened when they met. “When I was in Dubai for an event, I saw Terence Crawford, and he said, ‘Trust me, brother, you’re a great fighter. You’ve got all the skills, but you mess with your food too much.’ I sat back and thought, This is true!”

That line stayed with him. Before this, Whittaker would often entertain during fights. He spun, danced, and whirled. While fans reacted to it, the style was also criticized.

Crawford’s words point directly to that issue. Known for his control and finishing ability, he made a career out of finishing fights when the opportunity arose. His record, including a big win over Canelo Alvarez, brought value to his advice.

Whittaker accepted the message. He began to adjust his style, focusing on results more than performance. The change did not come through declarations, but became evident in their fight.

Ben Whittaker and Terence Crawford: Results now visible in the ring

The impact of Ben Whittaker and Terence Crawford is now visible in recent results. Whittaker’s latest fight ended quickly, with Suarez stopped in the first round. He did not escalate the fight or create unnecessary noise.

After the fight he confirmed the change. “Since then, I’ve been cleaning them.”

That statement reflects his current viewpoint. Now he wants to end the fights quickly instead of controlling them on time. The difference is visible in both his speed and decisions in the ring.

Whittaker, now 11-0-1 with seven knockouts, continues to build his record. He won the IBF International light-heavyweight title in June 2024 and remains active. Their fights now focus on efficiency as well as finishing them quickly.

Promoter Eddie Hearn continues to guide his career. Although Whittaker has yet to face a top-10 opponent, his recent performances show he is preparing for some tough competition.

The influence of Ben Whittaker and Terence Crawford highlights a clear change. The style remains the same, but the approach has changed. His next battles will test how effective this version of him can be.

Dogley Wilberforce is a boxing writer for SportsNaught, covering fight news, fighter reactions and major bouts in the sport… More about Dogley Wilberforce

Oscar De La Hoya suggested over the weekend that he could be the next boxing legend to return to the ring. But Terence Crawford’s reaction perfectly explained why the 53-year-old should stay.

It has recently become common in the sport for great boxers to return to the ring after a decade or more away. Mike Tyson has fought two exhibition bouts since 2020, despite being in his 50s. Manny Pacquiao had one championship fight last year at the age of 46. And Floyd Mayweather last week announced plans to end his exhibition tour for an official fight in September.

After this weekend, boxing fans may have to add gold medalist De La Hoya to that list. Following his big win over Golden Boy fighter Ryan Garcia, De La Hoya posted a video on Instagram of himself shadowboxing in the backyard and said, “Inspired last night. My journey starts today.”

In the video, the six-division champion looked to be in great shape and moving quite well. On the surface, he seemed like a man ready for another fight. Then a comment on Terence Crawford’s post revealed why a return to the ring might be a bad idea.

Crawford wrote, “Shake your head, champ, and give me some upper body action.”

This is a smart and honest critique of the video. But it also explains why the returns may not be worth the risks. While Oscar De La Hoya’s arm movement looked great and his legs were solid, there was no movement in the head or shoulders. His chin will be an immovable target for potential opponents.

Considering the success De La Hoya has had as a promoter, it doesn’t seem fair to suffer some brain damage for another moment of glory.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos