Ben Whittaker's new trainer Andy Lee's 'reputation on the line' ahead of Liam Cameron rematch

Andy Lee has admitted his 'reputation is on the line' as the Irishman prepares to corner Ben Whittaker for the first time ahead of his eagerly anticipated rematch with Liam Cameron.

An Olympic silver medallist for Great Britain in 2020, Whittaker has chosen Lee as his new trainer ahead of a potentially career-defining second fight against Sheffield's Cameron.

Given the contentious nature of the first fight between the pair in Riyadh in October 2024, with Whittaker claiming an ankle injury after both boxers tumbled over the ropes in the sixth round, the pressure is on 'The Surgeon' to produce a statement performance in the rematch.

A former middleweight world champion, Lee has enjoyed marked success as heavyweight Joseph Parker's trainer, with the New Zealander currently one of the most in-form boxers on the planet having dispatched of Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang and Martin Bakole in his last three bouts.

Lee is fully aware of the pressure facing both himself and his new mentee Whittaker ahead of the Cameron rematch, telling Sky Sports:

My reputation and his reputation are both on the line. We're both working hard to win. I'll put that all on the line for Ben. I back him all the way.

Lee himself reached out to Whittaker following his first fight with Cameron which ended in controversial circumstances.

27-year-old Whittaker was instantly attracted by the prospect of working with Lee, telling Sky Sports: "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's produced champions himself, he's a champion himself."

Much of the build-up to the Whittaker v Cameron rematch in the last couple of weeks has centred around the number of rounds.

Whittaker's promoters BOXXER admitted they made an error when issuing Queensberry fighter Cameron with a contract for the fight to take place over 12 rounds, with the intention for the bout to be contested over 10.

This dispute has now been resolved, with Whittaker and Cameron to do battle over 10 rounds at the bp pulse LIVE arena in Birmingham on Sunday 20th April 2025.

James Wilson

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