A row has erupted over the number of rounds Ben Whittaker’s highly-anticipated rematch with Liam Cameron will be scheduled for.
Olympic silver medallist Whittaker and Cameron fought in October in a contentious bout that finished as a technical decision draw.
That bout came to an abrupt end when both fighters tumbled over the top rope and crashed out of the ring in the fifth round. Injury meant Whittaker was unable to continue.
They have set a rematch for Sunday April 20 in Birmingham, live on Sky Sports.
Ben Whittaker jokingly threatened Liam Cameron with an egg during ‘Gloves Are Off’ – but you’ll have to tune in to see if the two shook hands!
But the rival camps are locked in a dispute over whether that fight will be conducted over 10 or 12 rounds.
Liam Cameron revealed that he has signed for a 12 round contest.
A spokesperson for BOXXER, Whittaker’s promoter said: “The situation is being resolved and we look forward to one of the most eagerly anticipated rematches in recent history live from the bp pulse arena in Birmingham on Easter Sunday”
Ben Whittaker says he has enjoyed life out of the limelight and has perfected better ways to fall out of the ring for his rematch with Liam Cameron
Cameron is open to finding a resolution. A spokesperson for his promoter Queensberry said: “Liam and his licensed manager are incredibly frustrated to be in this situation so close to an important fight. This is not a problem Queensberry or Liam are responsible for, nor is it our issue to resolve.
“Liam is open to exploring solutions to ensure the fight remains on, but he strongly prefers 12 rounds and has a signed contract for 12 rounds. It’s up to BOXXER to sort this out and we hope to have something on the table soon from them to discuss with Liam and his team.”
Feuding rivals
Cameron has accused Whittaker of ‘quitting’ in their first fight.
“It got hard in there and when it gets hard, you want a way out,” Cameron said. “When you’re in pain and the fight’s not going your way, he wanted out of there.
“He wanted no part [of it].”
Whittaker is a flashy fighter when he boxes, renowned now for his showboating. But Cameron claimed he had been chastened by their first fight.
“He’s changed a bit. He wasn’t the same person just then [on the Gloves Are Off]. Quite humbled, nice guy. Come in with a different approach. I like that,” Cameron told Sky Sports News.
“I was there to get beat. He was there to show what he was made of… I put a stop to it.”
After their controversial first fight Ben Whittaker and Liam Cameron go head-to-head to announce their rematch on April 20
Whittaker responded: “If he wants to go with that [quitting accusation] it’s great, more fuel to the fire.”
He is though determined to settle the score.
“It was like a scene out of WWE,” Whittaker told Sky Sports News. “It’s boxing. These things are not written and we get to run it back.
“Luckily enough judgement day is April 20.”
He added: “It was my worst version and his best version. When I turn up on April 20 you will see my best version.
“A draw is not what you want, it’s a loss in my eyes, looking to right the wrong really and I’m excited to do that.”
Watch Whittaker vs Cameron 2 on Sunday April 20, live on Sky Sports.
