- Denzel Bentley has questioned Ben Whittaker's level after his unanimous decision win over Conor Wallace, saying it is a concentration thing
- Whittaker survived a final round scare against Wallace in the IBF light heavyweight eliminator in Birmingham
- I think Bentley has a point about focus, and Whittaker cannot afford those lapses against Dmitry Bivol
Whittaker, Wallace And The Concentration Question
Right then. Ben Whittaker got the win against Conor Wallace, but the debate since has not been about the victory. It has been about the scare. Denzel Bentley has now weighed in and his verdict, in his own words, is that it is a concentration thing. Make no mistake, that is a pointed way of questioning whether Whittaker is ready for world level.
I broke down the fight in Whittaker beat Wallace and survived a proper scare, and the picture has not changed: he won the fight, but he allowed a rival back into it in the final round when it should have been over.
Is Bentley Right?
Half right, in my view. Bentley is no stranger to the sharp end of the sport, and when a fighter like him points at concentration, it is worth listening. Whittaker's talent is brilliant to watch, the movement and the showboating are class, but a switch-off at world level gets punished. If you know, you know.
Why It Matters For Bivol
The winner of the IBF eliminator becomes the No. 1 challenger to Dmitry Bivol, and Bivol does not hand out second chances. A lapse that costs Whittaker a round against Wallace could cost him the fight against a champion who is patient, accurate and ruthless.
Bentley Has His Own Business To Take Care Of
Bentley is not short of work himself. He is set to meet Shane Mosley Jr on November 7, live on Sky Sports, as I covered in Bentley vs Mosley on Zuffa Boxing 12. Talking is easy, and now it is his turn to show his own level.
The Verdict
Let's not beat around the bush: Whittaker has the skill to be a world champion, but I would not make him the favourite against Bivol on current form. He has to fix the focus, finish rounds properly and stop treating them as optional. If he does, he can make it a proper fight. If he does not, Bivol is levels above him and it ends before the final bell.