Ben Whittaker’s new coach Andy Lee forward of Liam Cameron rematch: ‘I am placing my fame on the road too’

Ben Whittaker has made modifications forward of his rematch with Liam Cameron.

After a rare fall, that noticed each fighters tumble out of the ring, their first combat resulted in a contentious technical determination draw.

They’ll rematch on Sunday in Birmingham, stay on Sky Sports activities, and Whittaker can have a brand new coach in his nook.

Former WBO middleweight world champion and well-regarded skilled coach Andy Lee is now working with the Olympic silver medallist.

“I just saw a fighter who is immensely talented, who needs guidance, structure,” Lee instructed Sky Sports activities. “Behind all of the persona is a really humble, sincere, decided younger man.

“A talent like Ben needs mentoring. It needs channelling, it needs guiding and that’s why I thought it would be a travesty to see such a fighter like this lose or not reach his potential because of lack of the right coaching.”

It is going to be an intensely pressurised event, headlining on the bp pulse LIVE area in a high-stakes rematch, particularly for a primary combat in a brand new trainer-boxer partnership.

“Trust and relationships are built over time. We don’t have that luxury of time,” Lee stated. “But a lot of talking is done during the training camp.

“You need to talk, know what makes them tick and the way they suppose.”

He added of Whittaker: “I don’t see any ceiling on how good he is. I think he’s potentially a world champion. I don’t want to go over the top but from what I’m seeing in the gym, so exciting to watch, such a pleasure to watch and he can do pretty much anything he wants to in the sport.

“However you must undergo the steps and earn it. It isn’t given simply since you’re gifted. You need to work for it and earn it.”

Whittaker, early in his skilled profession, had beforehand tended to make headlines along with his typically spectacular showboating.

He was although closely criticised after the draw with Cameron. “It’s the nature of the world we live in today,” Lee stated, “but it’s a good lesson for him because he’s had those incredible highs of going viral with all the showboating clips and now he’s had the reverse of that with criticisms from every corner of the world.

“It is most likely a terrific lesson for him as a fighter but additionally as a human being to take all the things with a pinch of salt, the highs and the lows, the reward and the criticism.

“One day you’re the hero and the next day you’re the villain.”

It is a must-win combat for Whittaker. However going into the Cameron rematch, Lee believes his personal fame is in danger.

“We’re both in it together anyway. My reputation and his reputation are both on the line. We’re both working hard to win,” he stated.

“I’ll put that all on the line for Ben. I back him all the way.”

Why Lee?

It was Andy Lee who initially reached out to Whittaker after watching the primary combat with Cameron.

“I always wanted a change. I knew it was going to come,” Whittaker instructed Sky Sports activities. “I was always going to change but it was just when.”

The enchantment of Lee as his coach was clear to Whittaker. “He’s a person I’ve always looked up to in boxing. He’s done what I want to achieve, he’s a world champion,” he stated.

“He’s produced champions himself, he’s a champion himself.”

Whittaker has moved his coaching camp to Dublin to work with Lee.

“You cut the distractions out and it’s just about having fun and working while doing it,” he stated.

“I’m loving every minute of it, I’m learning and we’re a good combination.”

Watch the Ben Whittaker vs Liam Cameron rematch on Sunday stay on Sky Sports activities.