Ben Whittaker had spent eight rounds doing what we expected him to do against Conor Wallace.
Then, for three rounds, everything changed.
Whittaker was hurt, ragged and vulnerable as Wallace came on strongly in Birmingham, although the judges with an easier decision than the closing minutes might have suggested.
The reaction has been predictably divided. Some condemn him as overyped, other have promised more patience with their assessments, but today plenty of people are circulating their opinions about the Midlands man. Here are mine, and seven things we learned about Ben Whittaker last night.
1. That he got rounds under his belt
Whittaker has gone two rounds twice in his last four fights and one round twice. Getting ring time under his belt was essential.
If you saw my interview with Andy Lee last week, something that jumped out was Whittaker telling him, after Moses Itauma lost to Filip Hrgovic, that he wanted rounds to the extent that he asked to do 12 in his next spar.
My early thoughts as I watched the fight this morning were about how relaxed and comfortable Ben was with the pace after six or seven rounds. Even by the end, he was not breathing especially hard; he was woozy from taking too many heavy shots.
But, overall, the rounds and the experience will stand him in good stead, I’m sure.
2. That he was in trouble and came through a crisis
This can’t be denied. Those last three rounds, and especially those last three minutes, were tough. The negatives are that he was struggling, he didn’t step off the line fast enough – especially to avoid the straight left from the southpaw – and there are signs that he becomes ragged psychologically as much as physically when the going gets tough.
But, on the flip side, as highlighted by Barry Jones on commentary, he held, he spoiled, he ran. He did all the things you’d want a fighter to show he has in his locker when trouble comes calling.
When a fighter on the rise is ‘exposed’, we often hear that he should have held, he should have run, he should have spoiled. If that’s the case, tick, tick, tick.
We also say, when a fighter is on the move through the ranks, that they must overcome adversity and show their mettle. We say they need a test if they blast people out. We cannot have it both ways all the time.
3. There are reasons why he might not be the same next time
