The unbeaten light heavyweight says world titles matter more than outside opinions as he prepares for his U.S. debut
Ben Whittaker says criticism no longer concerns him as he continues his pursuit of world titles at light heavyweight. The unbeaten 27-year-old addressed the reaction that has followed parts of his professional career ahead of his June 27 fight against Popeye Rivera in Brooklyn.
“Yeah. I’ll just say at the end of the day, you hear today gone tomorrow with some people, and you know your career sometimes goes like that,” said Whittaker to Ring Magazine.
“So for me it’s just to achieve what I want to achieve, leave my legacy, and go with the wind. Forget people’s opinion. As long as the close people around me see me for the right person and they see that I’ve set out to achieve what I wanted to achieve, that’s all that matters.”
Whittaker added that success in the ring will ultimately be the measure he judges himself by rather than public reaction.
“So if I leave with the world titles, the money, I’m happy that everyone else can just moan about it to themselves.”
The 27-year-old returns on June 27 when he faces Popeye Rivera in Brooklyn, New York, in what will be his first professional fight in the United States.
The appearance marks another step in Whittaker’s development as he looks to move closer to major fights at light heavyweight. While discussion around potential opponents continues, Whittaker made it clear that outside noise is no longer driving his decisions.
His attention remains on collecting victories and pursuing world titles.
