Whittaker – Cameron ends in technical draw, after duo topple out of ring

Ben Whittaker’s (8-0-1) fight with Liam Cameron (23-6-1), on Saturday night in Riyad, Saudi Arabia, took an unexpected and controversial turn, as the two fighters tumbled out of the ring in a chaotic fifth round. The match, which had been heating up, is called a technical draw when Whittaker is unable to continue due to an ankle injury sustained in the fall.

Whittaker, an Olympic silver medalist known for his flash and style, had started strong in the 10-round bout for the IBF International and WBO Global belts. In the opening round, he snapped off jabs and landed sharp crosses, keeping Cameron at bay. But as the fight wore on, Cameron began to adjust, finding his rhythm in the second round. He countered with heavy left hooks and started working through Whittaker’s defense. By the middle rounds, Cameron’s confidence was evident – he even taunted Whittaker, sticking his tongue out after blocking a combination.

All changed in the final seconds of round fight. Both men tumbled over the top of the rope and fell onto ring apron.

Whittaker came up injured, clutching his ankle. Unable to continue, the fight was brought to a close, with the scorecards showing a split decision draw. One judge had it 58-57 for Whittaker, another 58-57 for Cameron, and the third scored it 58-58.

Whittaker, visibly in pain, left the arena in a wheelchair, his night over in unexpected fashion. Cameron, however, wasn’t convinced. Furious with the draw, he suggested that Whittaker’s team had encouraged him to stay down after the fall.

“I felt like I was starting to get the better of him,” Cameron said after the fight. “It was getting tough for him. You could see it.”

Cameron was convinced he won the fight.

“His corner said, ‘Stay down and pretend you’re hurt.’ Allegedly,” said Cameron after the fight during a press briefing.

“I want either a rematch or something better. Ben deserves the rematch,” he continued.