Boxing's 58m social media star is a knockout success

One greeting successful February, light-heavyweight Ben Whittaker woke up to millions of hits connected his Instagram account.

It was nan Monday aft his stoppage triumph complete Khalid Graidia astatine Wembley Arena.

"My telephone conscionable blew up. It was conscionable weird," Whittaker told BBC Sport.

'The Surgeon', arsenic he is known, posted 2 videos successful nan days aft his devastating disposal of Graidia, showcasing lightning-quick reactions and his showboating antics, which included dancing astir nan ringing during exchanges.

"I've been doing this style since I was a kid and retired of obscurity my socials each went crazy," Whittaker said.

"You can't complain, it is good, but I'm conscionable being myself. I won't alteration for no-one and arsenic agelong arsenic I get nan occupation done that's each that matters."

Just 24 hours aft he posted the first video,, external Whittaker gained complete 100,000 followers connected Instagram. By March, his follower count had reached 1m, and he has since passed nan 2m mark.

The highlight reel, external of that February win, conscionable his sixth conflict arsenic a pro, reeled successful 2.7m likes and 58m views connected Instagram.

Whittaker's style has received disapproval from immoderate boxing fans, pinch nan declare it is disrespectful to nan force crossed nan different broadside of nan ring.

The 26-year-old remains adamant that nan showboating is simply a measurement successful which he is capable to definitive himself.

He knowledgeable nan effect of wider vulnerability during a caller travel to America pinch his promotional company, Boxxer.

"I had group recognise maine connected nan streets from that video," Whittaker said.

"It's humbling for me, a lad from Darlaston having group complete location coming up to me."

Whittaker took metallic for Team GB astatine nan Tokyo 2020 Olympics aft conclusion by Cuba's Arlen Lopez successful nan light-heavyweight gold-medal bout.

He made his master debut successful Bournemouth successful July 2022 and has now fought and won 7 master fights.

These person each taken spot successful nan UK isolated from his 2nd conflict erstwhile he travelled to Saudi Arabia.

Following his viral moment, Whittaker recovered that a caller assemblage had begun to travel him. It came arsenic a surprise, having fought for astir of his master profession successful nan UK.

"On my Instagram it was chiefly Brazil and nan United States that engaged pinch that viral post," he said.

"It is huffy to beryllium honest; Brazil is now nan apical state that travel me."

Whittaker adjacent fights connected nan undercard of Chris Billam-Smith's world title defence against Richard Riakporhe astatine Selhurst Park successful London connected Saturday.

He will situation for nan first loop of his pro profession erstwhile he takes connected Ezra Arenyeka for nan WBA golden light-heavyweight title.

Arenyeka is an undefeated combatant from Nigeria who called Whittaker retired successful personification erstwhile he stormed nan shape astatine a news convention earlier nan Briton's past conflict successful March.

"The main point is that there's a loop connected nan statement for maine - thing to show disconnected and clasp my jeans up with," Whittaker said.

"It's a large paper and will beryllium a large atmosphere, I'll study from nan experience. I'm going to make an illustration of Ezra."