Ben Whittaker v Ezra Arenyeka - Tale of the Tape: Weight, height, reach, trainer & professional boxing records

We analyse the credentials and statistics of light-heavyweight pair Ben Whittaker and Ezra Arenyeka, as the two get set to square-off in an intriguing showdown on the undercard of Chris Billam-Smith v Richard Riakporhe 2 on Saturday 15th June.

Whether people love him, or loathe him, they tune in to watch Ben Whittaker fight.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medallist faces the toughest test of his career to date when he takes on unbeaten puncher, Ezra Arenyeka next weekend.

Will Whittaker dazzle and entertain or can Arenyeka pull off one of the biggest upsets of the year?

Let's check out the 'Tale of the Tape'…

Ben Whittaker v Ezra Arenyeka
Tale of the Tape

	Ben Whittaker	Ezra Arenyeka
Odds:	1/25	12/1
Age:	27	28
Nickname:	'The Surgeon'	'The Nigerian King'
Height:	6ft 3ins	6ft 2ins
Reach:	N/A	N/A
Weight:	Light-heavyweight	Light-heavyweight
Trainer:	Joby Clayton	Sean Krool
Record:	7-0 (5 KOs)	12-0 (10 KOs)
Last Fight:	Won - (Points) v Leon Willings (March 2024)	Won- (KO) v Victor Barrios (October2023)

Ben Whittaker
In Profile

The Marmite fighter of British boxing returns.

Few boxers divide opinion quite like Whittaker. To some, he is entertaining, to others disrespectful. A percentage of observers have him tipped to be the next big thing, while his detractors view him as a disaster waiting to happen.

While the former point is subjective, it is too early to make a definitive call on the latter. However, perhaps, we will know more when he takes on Ezra Arenyeka.

Last time out, the Olympic silver medallist produced a lacklustre showing against Leon Willings.

If ‘The Nigerian King’ can land his overhand right with the regularity that Willings managed, it could pose real problems for the Englishman.

However, it is possible that ‘The Surgeon’ is a fighter who raises his game against better opposition, and demonstrated his ability to box diligently during a glittering amateur career.

The 27-year-old possess a potent combination of speed and timing which has been too much for his foes to handle, to date.

The showboating has helped the Wolverhampton man go viral and build his following, but will he be able to continue to do so against better fighters?

We will see.

In terms of talent, Whittaker is levels above his African rival, but it would be prudent for him to be more risk-adverse against a man, who on paper at least, punches hard.

Whatever happens, one thing is certain, everyone will be talking about Ben Whittaker on Sunday morning.

Strengths:	Weaknesses:
Footwork	Showboats
Hand-speed	Leaves chin in the air
Timing	Breaks the rules
Unorthodox offence	Keeps his gloves low

Ezra Arenyeka
In Profile

Ezra Arenyeka has packed a lot into his two-year professional career, fighting in five different countries, across three continents.

While Ben Whittaker has been boxing in arenas on televised shows, ‘The Nigerian King’ has been plying his trade in the less salubrious surroundings of leisure centres and hotel function suites.

All that could change for good on Saturday 15th June.

If the Manchester-based African can upsets the odds, his trajectory will change overnight.

The 28-year-old, certainly seems confident as he has been engaging in a war of words with his rival at press conferences.

However, Arenyeka will have to overcome a gulf in experience and natural talent.

While ‘The Surgeon’ was honing his craft as an elite amateur, the Nigerian was battling on the white-collar circuit.

Yet, in spite of his inauspicious beginnings, Arenyeka has looked the part as a professional, halting ten of 12 opponents. Admittedly, this has been at a relatively low level, he appears to have solid fundamentals.

Whittaker does leave himself open, but it remains to be seen whether Arenyeka will be able to capitalise.

If he does, it will be the biggest upset inside a British ring this year.

Strengths:	Weaknesses:
Jab to the body	Head falls over the front foot
Cross-right shot	Overreaches at times
Power	Leaves chin exposed

All odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.