Charles ‘The Killa’ Whittaker is inspired by all the great Rocky stories of the past and for the first time in a long professional fight career stretching back 18 years, he is finally on the verge of breaking into the higher echelons of the sport and enjoying the rewards that go with it.
Whittaker shook off the ring rust after a year out, to comprehensively outpoint the tough Philadelphian Keenan Collins to win the United States Boxing Association junior-middleweight people at
the Arts and Recreation Centre in Camana Bay on Saturday.
Killa had jokingly offered Collins the belt from his jeans as the only one he would go home with at a press conference the day before and maybe the veteran American should have taken it as consolation.
At 37 Whittaker is on the verge of a world title eliminator or possibly straight world title shot and it is no more than he deserves after a roller coaster ride that has seen him plunge the depths with few highs.
Premier McKeeva Bush was sitting ringside with his wife Kerry, MLA Cline Glidden Jnr, minister of sport Mark Scotland, director of sport Collin Anglin and 400 cheering fans, especially from his home district of West Bay, including his mother Buleah McField.
It kept his unbeaten sequence since 2004 going and took his record to 37 wins 12 losses and 2 draws, including 23 KOs. The undercard was one of the best seen here with the pick of the fights being stylish Filipino debutant Alfred ‘Destroyer’ Deano getting a draw with unbeaten Jamaican Richard Hedge.
Bantamweight Deano is a four-time Philippines amateur champ and although Hedge’s extra experience and strength was evident, Deano fought with plenty of heart and technique after getting heavily tagged in the second round in their four round contest.
Anxious to keep in shape for his next 154lbs assignment, Whittaker said: “We’re going right back to the gym in a couple of weeks. The sky’s the limit for me.”
Under the guidance of American trainer Norman Wilson who has been based here now for a year, Killa has been able to focus more than ever on getting himself in tip top shape. Both hope the United States Boxing Association gives him a golden opportunity soon.
“I’m expecting good things from the USBA,” Killa added. “I thank the crowd for coming out in their numbers to support me, especially my West Bayers. Again, I’ve got to thank my government and my premier. I know he’s much embattled and criticised.
“A talk show host criticised the government for backing me but this event couldn’t have happened without the premier’s support and also his colleagues, like the deputy tourism minister Cline Glidden.
“They not only got out and supported me, they also got people in the community to support this event. I can’t thank my trainer Norman enough. When I met him I was 1-5 in two years and I told him I don’t have my confidence anymore.
“But he encouraged me to believe in myself. Also my agent for 17 years Raul Alvarez. Long before this country was supporting me with a monthly salary, very many days, Raul fed me. These are the people I love and have supported me.”
Whittaker had plenty of praise for Deano, 20. “We knew Hedge could fight. We invested a lot of money getting him over here. Alfred fought a guy who was 6-0. This kid could really fight and Alfred fought a great fight.”
Deano returned to the Philippines on Tuesday to continue his career there, supported by his Caymanian manager Al Suckoo, a successful businessman.
Peter ‘Lightning’ Lewison also made his debut, at middleweight and had little trouble in beating in two rounds flabby veteran Alex Lubo who at 46 should have retired years ago. Nevertheless, it was a good workout for Lewison, 22, and a confidence builder. Lubo had not fought in four years and not won since 2000.
The fact that Killa was in great shape was partly because his two sparring partners, ‘Silky’ Wilki Campfort and Tsetsi ‘Lights Out’ Davis fought each other in the main support bout. Campfort won on points. Both had pushed Killa to the limits in training because they were preparing for a real fight of their own.
Minister Scotland has seen Whittaker’s many struggles. He said: “It’s really warming to see Charles over the years and how he’s stuck in there in his career.
“At 37 most boxers would have given up and when you think he hasn’t had the level of support which he needed to get as far as he could in boxing, yet he still persevered.
“For this show he had to not just go and train he had to promote as well, organise the fighters, get the money to put the fights together and on top of that he beat a guy who is a very good fighter.
“Charles fought an excellent, tactical fight and I think even at that age he still has more to come and I want him to continue to carry on and we’re going to support him some more.”
Scotland is pleased with how the boxing programme has developed at the D. Dalmain Ebanks gym over the past year, headed by coach Nayon ‘Donie’ Anglin who refereed four of the six bouts over the weekend. “Well we’ve built this excellent facility, Mr. Anglin was there by himself, training all those guys.
“Charles brought Mr. Wilson along and we’ve seen the work Mr. Wilson has done with Charles and also what he’s done on the boxing programme in such a short time.
“They’ve brought along the great potential we have in the likes of Kendall Ebanks, Jason Parchment, Tafari Ebanks and others. I think Mr. Wilson is doing an excellent job and what I’m impressed with too is that the large numbers there. Having a promotion like Saturday’s is also an incentive to push on. Once again, kudos to Charles and we will continue to support him.”
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