Ben Whittaker put the ending touches on his profession when he got here by means of a one-sided, at occasions ugly contest to say a unanimous determination victory within the co-main occasion at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Whittaker, who entered the ring accompanied by an orchestra, beat and surpassed his opponent, who secured a spot on the identical stage because the Olympian, interrupted his press convention earlier than his ultimate match towards Leon Willings.
A disgruntled Arenieka headbutted Whittaker on the finish of the sixth spherical and was elbowed within the face within the seventh as fireplace entered the ring.
However they’d show little blemish on the dominant efficiency of Whittaker, who was barely dragged out of first gear when he declared it 100-89, 99-90, 99-90 on the playing cards.
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Arenjeka landed a head kick after Whittaker taunted him, driving him again to the nook after the sixth spherical
The win moved Whittaker to 8-0 as knowledgeable, and he now seems to be to probably fundamental occasion on the finish of the yr alongside way more tough opponents amid his rise within the gentle heavyweight division.
The gulf in potential was instantly obvious as Whittaker put apart any early shows to ship a message the way in which of Arenjeka and any potential opportunistic suitors who may be considering comparable feats.
Arenieka was extremely vital of Whittaker’s show within the build-up to the struggle, however he quickly succumbed to the theatrics because the pair exchanged dance strikes within the heart of the ring.
He was again to work moments later in a flurry of strikes from Whittaker, preceded by a fearsome proper uppercut and a superbly timed left uppercut to the face of Areniecka, who then discovered himself on the facet of two slick fists. pictures as Whittaker slid to the left.
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Have you ever ever seen this earlier than? Whitaker purchased out the orchestra for his efficiency when he bumped into Arenieka
A wild change practically resulted in Whittaker taking Arenieka at arduous again when the African King’s momentum spun him round his opponent’s again.
Whittaker continued to point out off his superior arsenal, with a vicious proper hand by means of Areniecki’s guard early within the fourth, matching it with a stiff physique shot arrange by a feint, earlier than he started to bob and weave on the sight of some wayward proper. arms on the ropes.
Arenjeka then felt the impact of Whittaker’s shrewd sequence, which noticed him land a rapid-fire three-punch takedown earlier than dodging a follow-up to ship his opponent tumbling ahead into the ropes.
Arenjeka went on the offensive early within the sixth, charging forward with three ridiculous strikes earlier than consuming two pushbacks, patronizing strikes for his troubles. Whittaker used his variation once more, touchdown one other deep physique kick earlier than unleashing a vicious assault on the ropes towards his drained counterpart.
He slapped him with a proper hook, jammed the aperture, then fell again onto the hull.
Then got here the flashpoint when, late within the spherical, Whittaker jokingly led Arenieka again to his nook, prompting a headbutt from his disgruntled opponent.
Tempers flared once more within the seventh spherical when Arenieka threw a again elbow into Whittaker’s face whereas holding the ropes, giving the referee no selection however to strip him of the purpose.
For all of Arenieka’s arduous work and toughness, it was Whittaker who was on cruise management for the ultimate two rounds earlier than indicators of a stoppage alternative appeared within the ultimate seconds of the competition as Arenieka stumbled in quest of the bell.
This might be the most important stage Arenieka will expertise in his profession. As for Whittaker, he is aware of it is only a stepping stone to a lot larger and brighter days forward.