Ben Whittaker Batters, Stops Khalid Graidia in Fifth Round
London – Ben Whittaker delivered an explosive performance, stopping Khalid Graidia in the fifth round of their highly anticipated matchup. Whittaker, who had expressed his focus on the fight while keeping an eye on the evening’s top billing clash between Dan Azeez and Joshua Buatsi, proved his mettle in the ring.
With a record of 6-0, including 5 knockouts, Whittaker has faced criticism for his showboating. However, he displayed a more business-like approach in the opening round against Graidia, who boasts experience against tough opponents. Whittaker showcased his defensive skills, slipping Graidia’s powerful overhand rights, while utilizing upper body movement and landing effective straight punches and uppercuts.
In the second round, Whittaker unleashed a picture-perfect left hook to Graidia’s body, flooring his opponent momentarily. However, instead of capitalizing on the opportunity, Whittaker decided to entertain the crowd with a triple salchow and earned a warning from the referee. This momentary breather benefited Graidia, who regrouped before Whittaker resumed his dominance in the third round.
Whittaker expertly evaded Graidia’s jabs and countered with powerful right hands, demonstrating superior defensive awareness. Using his jab to maintain distance, Whittaker consistently landed his right hook, breaking through Graidia’s tight guard.
In the fourth round, Whittaker unleashed his full repertoire of tricks. He playfully slapped Graidia on the head and showcased an impressive dance routine before earning a second warning for using the back of his hand. Remarkably, Whittaker managed to land punishing blows even while taunting his opponent. As frustration mounted in Graidia, he swung wildly, leaving himself vulnerable to counterattacks.
Entering the fifth round, Graidia appeared to be on the verge of defeat. Determined to finish the fight, Whittaker abandoned his showboating antics and relentlessly pursued his hurt opponent. Graidia found himself trapped on the ropes, unable to withstand Whittaker’s onslaught. With a precise and powerful two-handed attack, Whittaker hammered Graidia’s head and body, mixing in devastating body shots and uppercuts. Graidia eventually dropped to the canvas, prompting the referee to wave off the fight at 1:57 of the fifth round.
Whittaker’s dominant victory showcases his potential as a rising star in the light heavyweight division. His ability to seamlessly combine defensive skills with powerful offense proves that he belongs among the elite fighters in his weight class.
