In a thrilling yet controversial bout on Sunday night at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, England, light heavyweight contender Ben Whittaker secured a second-round technical knockout victory against veteran Liam Cameron. The match, which was a rematch between the two fighters, saw Whittaker deliver a powerful right to Cameron's head, leading to a barrage of punches that ultimately prompted the referee to intervene and halt the fight. However, questions have arisen over the timing of the stoppage, as well as certain tactics employed by both competitors.

The 2020 Olympic Silver medalist, Whittaker, demonstrated his prowess early in the second round when he staggered Cameron with a looping right hand. Sensing an opportunity, Whittaker unleashed a series of aggressive shots that drove Cameron back against the ropes. Although Cameron managed to protect himself behind his guard, referee Howard Foster stepped in to call off the fight. Many observers felt that the decision was made prematurely, as Cameron appeared capable of continuing despite the relentless assault.

This was not the first time Foster had been criticized for such calls; a similar incident occurred during the first Carl Froch vs. George Groves bout in 2013. Prior to the stoppage, Whittaker had primarily relied on jabs, occasionally throwing a right hand but otherwise focusing on defensive strategies. One notable tactic involved using an illegal straight arm to prevent Cameron from closing in, a maneuver that went unwarned by Foster.

In the opening round, Cameron exhibited signs of tension, shadowing Whittaker while refraining from launching significant attacks. As the round progressed, Cameron managed to land a solid right hand on Whittaker, causing him to retreat momentarily. In response, Whittaker resorted to clinching Cameron to impede further advances. Frustrated by this move, Cameron retaliated with a rabbit punch, drawing a stern warning from Foster. Despite being the only instance of such a violation, Foster maintained a stricter stance toward Cameron throughout the match.

While Whittaker emerged victorious in their rematch, the bout has sparked debates over the referee's decisions and the fairness of certain combat techniques. Questions linger regarding whether the fight could have continued longer, potentially altering its outcome. Regardless, Whittaker’s performance reaffirmed his status as a formidable contender in the light heavyweight division, setting the stage for future challenges ahead.