Ezra Arenyeka: This Is Not About Ben Whittaker, It’s About Me

Ezra Arenyeka’s timing was impeccable.

Just two days out from his fight with Leon Willings, Ben Whittaker was holding court about punishing those who call him out when the unknown but unbeaten light heavyweight burst forward and cut him short mid-flow with a tirade of abuse.

Yes, Arenyeka’s decision to gatecrash the press conference and pick a fight with the Olympic silver medallist was bold, risky and speculative but it was also calculated and the culmination of a long plan. The two will fight at Selhurst Park on Saturday night.

“The thing is with Ben, he’s been on my mind for two or three years. I actually made a video two years ago after one of my fights calling Ben out,” Arenyeka, 12-0 (10 KO’s), told BoxingScene. “We were just starting out as professionals and in the video I said, ‘Let’s build our careers and then we can make it happen.’ I never posted it. When I saw him go viral after his fight with Khalid Gradia, I thought it was the perfect time to jump on it and that’s why I did it.”

Arenyeka’s trip was a success. He made his way down to London as just another unknown hopeful. By the time he returned north to his home in Sale, Greater Manchester, video of his invasion was flying around social media and providing manna from heaven for Whittaker’s promoter, Boxxer, and Sky Sports News. 

Still, Whittaker, 7-0 (5 KO’s), is a high profile, top level prospect who observers are keen to see stepped up. Arenyeka may have made himself known but had to wait to find out whether his outburst had been enough to derail any previously laid plans and earn him a shot. 

“Did I expect it? Yes. Because of my record and the theatrics of me going out there and calling him out. Promoters love it. It’s easy for them to sell the fight. My ranking is good, my record is good and it’s a great title fight. We’re now fighting for the WBA Gold title. A part of me – 80 per cent – thought it would happen immediately. The other 20 per cent wasn’t sure,” he said.

“When I started boxing, this is what I dreamed of. Boxing on the biggest stage and getting my name out there. This is about me. It’s not about Ben. It’s about Ezra Aranyenka.

“I’m going to find out who I am. I’m gonna find out if this sport is for me. I’ve trained hard. I’ve done everything necessary. God’s will, I’ll come out on top. “

God’s will has led Arenyeka to this point.

He left Nigeria at the age of 14 to travel to America where he lived in Georgia before moving to Britain as a 17 year old. He studied at the University of East Anglia and has a PhD in Business Administration and Management. He began boxing to earn money for a charity and spent a brief period fighting as an amateur, becoming the Eastern Counties Elite champion. 

Now 28, Arenyeka has been a staple around Manchester’s boxing gyms for years but has spent his professional career globetrotting. Arenyeka has boxed in Nigeria, England, Holland, Ghana and Colombia. 

Britain has a whole host of talented light heavyweights but throughout his travels, Arenyeka kept his eyes on Whittaker. The plan he put into motion two years ago has come to fruition. 

“Why not anybody else? Because Ben is one of the top prospects in the world right now. He’s one of the most popular fighters and one of the most famous right now due to his theatrics in the ring,” he said. “People know him. If you can fight with him and engage with him, you’re going to gain some of the attention for yourself. It’s not just about Ben. It’s about Ezra. It’s about my own professional career.”

Arenyeka is a smart man. Although only three of his opponents have lasted longer than four rounds, he knows that in order to break Whittaker physically this weekend, he must first break him mentally. 

That won’t be easy. The years that the 27-year-old spent flying around the world fighting in elite international amateur tournaments obviously sharpened his boxing skills to the point that he was able to claim an Olympic silver medal but they have also given him bulletproof self-belief and supreme self confidence. Whittaker’s showboating grabs the headlines but he is also a ferociously hard worker.

Arenyeka’s unshakeable faith may come from different sources but his life experiences have provided him with proof aplenty that maintaining his desire and determination can help him achieve his goals.

The odds of him getting to this stage were infinitesimal but he made it. He isn’t going to stop believing now.

“As Mike Tyson says, everybody has a plan until you get punched in the face. I’m just going there to win. I’m going in there to take him out. That’s the plan,” he said.

“I’m gonna be professional. The best man – me – is going to win. I’ve got the power so that is half the fight done already.

“I think there are some big differences. Power is one. Will is another. Determination is another. Those three components put together put me on top.

“It’s a fight at the end of the day. Skill can only take you so far and it’s about the will. I’ve got the heart. Does he have the heart? I don’t know. We’ll find out on June 15th.

“A win does a lot for me. It changes my life and puts me on the map. It gets me better opportunities. The world will get to know me. Everything is on the line for me. That’s why I’ve put everything in and that’s why on fight night there’s going to be no let up. I’m going to be on him.

“I’m going for the win and for the knockout. I’m not leaving it for the judges. On that day, everything is going to be on the line.”