Ben Whittaker was slammed for his ‘classless’ reaction after his knockout victory over rival Liam Cameron.
Former Team GB boxer Whittaker, 27, stopped Cameron, 34, in the second round of their much-anticipated bout in Birmingham.
The pair’s first fight back in October ended in a controversial draw after both fights were flung over the ropes and Whittaker said he was unable to continue.
Whittaker quickly took control of the rematch and hurt Cameron with a fierce attack that led the referee to stop proceedings.
Local favourite Whittaker, who was booed as he entered the ring, ran over to Cameron’s corner straight after the victory and taunted losing trainer Grant Smith.
It was even suggested by some on social media that Whittaker spat at his rival’s corner as he poked his head in-between the ropes.
Reacting to the incident, British boxing trainer Dave Coldwell said on Sky Sports: ‘That’s classless, that’s classless.
‘I don’t care how good your performance is or if the crowd is booing you. Their man has just got beat, he’s just been stopped.
‘There’s nothing to excuse that. Jump on the ropes, celebrate with your fans like all boxers do.
‘But don’t go to the other’s man corner. There’s no need for that. He spoilt it at the end there. He let himself down. That’s what I think.’
Explaining his reaction in his post-fight interview in the ring, Whittaker said: ‘Listen, you heard everyone booing me.
‘I worked very hard for this fight and my emotions came out, I was roaring like a lion.’
Asked if he spat at Cameron’s team, Whittaker added: ‘If a bit of dribble came out, dribble came out.’
British boxing legend Johnny Nelson defended Whittaker and said his reaction came from pure frustration.
‘It’s his emotion coming out,’ Nelson said. ‘I don’t think it’s classless. It’s frustration. It’s human emotion.’
Whittaker’s trainer Andy Lee added: ‘No on can underestimate what this man has gone through since that first fight.’
More Trending
Lee and Boxxer chief Ben Shalom guided Whittaker away from Cameron’s corner and tried to calm their fighter down following his huge win.
Whittaker sobbed as he made his way back to his own corner and appeared to make up with Cameron’s team later.
Cameron, meanwhile, did not appear to have too many complaints over the referee’s decision to halt the fight.
The Sky Sports commentary team were unsure at the time whether it was the correct call but after watching replays felt the right decision was made.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
