Ben Whittaker has become “humble” by Liam Cameron, but can rediscover his “amazing talent” under new coach Andy Lee in the rematch, says Johnny Nelson.
Whittaker was led away in a wheelchair after he and Cameron dramatically overturned from the ring in their first match in October, which ended in a shared decision -making, and their rivalry will be decided in another match on Sunday, Live at Sky Sports.
As reflected on Whittaker’s performance in Saudi Arabia, Sky Sports expert Nelson believes that the Olympic silver medalist “neglected what he is doing so well” but supports new coach Lee to bring the best out of the 27-year-old.
Nelson said to Sky Sports: “I’m pretty sure Andy Lee has said to him ‘you have a great talent, make sure you get the most out of it’.
“So I think he’s got a serious approach from what we’ve seen.
“The mental approach when you enter the ring – it does or breaks a fighter, and I think he knows he knows he’s talented, sometimes you can run away with yourself. And that’s what he did.
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Elvis ‘The Soldier’ Ahorgan stole the show at Whittaker V Cameron 2 press conference with another passionate speech
“The performance I saw in Saudi from Ben, he boxed as if … ‘It’s a finished deal this, I want to steal the show’ and he neglected what he’s doing so well.
“He neglected it, and by doing so he almost paid the price. Therefore, he has been humiliated, and it is therefore mentally that he has to stay on point so that it does not happen again, because if he comes through Sunday night and he starts to get some amazing winnings again, what prevents him from developing memory tap and doing this again at a higher level?
“So if this was to happen, it’s better that it happens now than later on the line when much more is at stake.”
Ben Whittaker can handle the pressure from a new match with Liam Cameron, says Matthew Macklin
Macklin: Whittaker can handle Rematch -Pres
Fellow Sky Sports Expert, Matthew Macklin, believes Whittaker will handle the high expectations on his shoulders in front of a high effort.
“I think there was an element of him that underestimated [Cameron]. I think he may have overpowered or got the weight a little wrong, ”Macklin said.
“He got pretty tired pretty quickly, he was loosened – which was alarming, really.
“I don’t think that would happen in this fight. I think he will have the right amount of fear, the right amount of nerves. The pressure will bring it.
“In many ways, his career is on the field in terms of what he projected himself to continue and achieve, to be a star.
“It’s on the line right here.”
Watch Ben Whittakers Rematch with Liam Cameron on Sunday, live on Sky Sports from 19:00.