Jordan Calls Out 'Tomato Cans'

A Statement of Intent

Ben Whittaker continues to dazzle, but is his highlight reel being built on shaky foundations? After a spectacular first-round knockout of Brian Suarez in Liverpool, “The Surgeon” advanced his record to a pristine 11-0. The performance itself was, by all accounts, impressive. As talkSPORT’s Spencer Oliver pointed out, this was no ordinary opponent. “Suarez, you know, pushed Lyndon Arthur who's now the European champion… right up until the final bell,” Oliver explained. “Ben Whittaker takes him out in a round.” On paper, it’s a chilling and calculated demolition that suggests Whittaker is operating on another level. He’s a showman, an entertainer, and a boxer with undeniable talent, drawing comparisons to the great showmen of the past.

“Tomato Can-ish”: The Call for a Step-Up

However, Simon Jordan remains a discerning observer, unconvinced by the level of opposition thus far. While he readily admits his admiration for Whittaker’s charisma and superstar potential, Jordan is withholding his final judgment. “I will only judge Ben Whittaker when he starts fighting what I consider to be more challenging opponents,” Jordan stated firmly. He threw down the gauntlet, naming fighters like Dan Azeez and Craig Richards as the kind of acid test he needs to see. “What he's doing to some of these guys that I think are a little bit tomato can-ish… then I'll have more to say.” Jordan’s skepticism is rooted in a belief that Whittaker’s true mettle will only be revealed when he faces an opponent who can “stick it on him,” forcing him to dig deep in a way he hasn't had to yet.

The Prince's Silent Treatment

The conversation around Whittaker took a strange turn when the name of Prince Naseem Hamed was brought up. The legendary fighter, known for his own flamboyant style, refused to even entertain a discussion about the rising star. “He doesn't deserve me to speak about him,” Naz declared. “We are far, far apart in ability and in skill, and the world knows that.” The source of this animosity, as Spencer Oliver revealed, stems from an incident early in Whittaker’s career. Whittaker paid homage to Naz with a leopard-print-shorted ring walk but then, when asked if he was inspired by the Prince, allegedly claimed, “No, I've never watched Naz fight.” For Hamed, this was an unforgivable sign of disrespect. “Naz was like, ‘That is a disrespect to me as a person,’” Oliver explained. “So, I'm not now going to give him the air time.” The incident reveals a deep-seated pride and a bizarre, simmering feud between one of boxing’s past icons and its potential future.

The European Test Awaits

So, where does Ben Whittaker go from here? The path forward seems clear to the talkSPORT panel. To answer Simon Jordan’s criticisms and prove he belongs at the elite level, a significant step-up is not just desired, it's necessary. The name on everyone’s lips is Lyndon Arthur. As the reigning European champion—the same fighter whose former opponent Whittaker just dismantled—Arthur represents the perfect yardstick. “Lyndon Arthur is the perfect fight,” the panel concluded. A matchup with Arthur would be the ultimate test: a chance for Whittaker to prove that his charismatic showboating and devastating power can hold up against a legitimate, durable, and skilled European-level champion. It’s a fight that would silence the doubters and officially announce his arrival as a true contender.