Dan Aziz has not forgotten that Ben Whittaker turned professional in a blaze of publicity and claimed he would have crushed the then British champion in lower than 5 fights.
Aziz misplaced his title to Joshua Buati in February, however will nonetheless be calling for Whittaker to battle him.
Whittaker, a 2021 Olympic silver medalist, is now 7-0 as a professional, is climbing the skilled ranks and fights Ezra Areniecka on Saturday at Selhurst Park, stay Sky Sports activities.
Aziz, from south London, is on the identical card, boxing Hrvoje Sepa, a Croatian who was as soon as a star newbie and two-time European medalist.
Aziz understands that it’s doable to check their opponents in an enormous method.
“I do not know, I am going to let the actual boxing followers determine who’s the actual fighter and the fitting fighter and who’s not. I simply do what I’ve to do, battle who I’ve to battle and he fights who he has to battle,” he mentioned Sky Sports activities. “However credit score to each of them, two undefeated guys.
“[Arenyeka] unknown, doubtlessly gentle to the contact, however it may’t be gentle to the contact, so we do not know. So it’s important to give Ben credit score for venturing into the unknown.
“They’re each characters, so I am positive it is going to be battle, build-up.”
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Ben Whittaker exhibits off some dance strikes earlier than sending a message to Ezra Arenietta
Whittaker triggered a sensation in skilled boxing along with his extravagant show, knockout victories and sheer confidence.
This caught the eye of the general public, and definitely Aziz, who was one of many fighters Whittaker known as up straight.
“You understand what’s humorous right here, bear in mind [him wanting to fight] I am below 5 fights,” Aziz mentioned. “He simply did not do it.
“What battle is he in now?”
However the Londoner added: “They’re transferring it down the highway, they’re transferring it. Once we meet, we meet. For now I simply have to consider September.”
Aziz cannot get too hung up on future choices within the thrilling gentle heavyweight division. He totally expects September to be an actual problem over eight rounds on Saturday.
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From dancing and posing to ring gymnastics, see the very best of Whittaker’s showcase
“Due to the respect I’ve for Sepp, the historical past he has and the pedigree he is include, I can solely concentrate on Sepp proper now. If it would not go effectively for me on Saturday, it is out of the query. it is September that I am specializing in,” Aziz mentioned.
“He would not know what a step again is, so it is going to be attention-grabbing,” he continued. “If I need to show that I’m top-of-the-line within the nation, not to mention the world, I’ve to battle towards this type of opposition and do the job.
“Now I am at this stage, there’s nothing to fiddle with. If I can not do it now, I am going to by no means be capable to do it.
“He gave it to Bolotnik, and Bolotnik is an effective fighter,” Aziz warned. “September took him to the wire in his battle, so I can solely count on fireworks on June 15.”
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Watch Chris Bylam-Smith defend his WBO world heavyweight title towards Richard Riakporhe at Selhurst Park Crystal Palace, stay Sky Sports activities on Saturday, June 15; or stream utilizing NOW