An emotional Ben Whittaker broke down in tears as he explained how he ‘lost friends’ over his cocky antics inside the boxing ring.

Whittaker claimed victory in his highly-anticipated rematch against Liam Cameron on Sunday and retained the IBF International light-heavyweight title in the process.

It was a pivotal moment in the Wolverhampton star’s boxing career after questions were asked about his credentials following a controversial draw in their first fight.

Prior to his win on Sunday, discourse about Whittaker had often centred around his wild antics inside the boxing ring – with the Brit known for his showboating.

Speaking after his victory over Cameron, he revealed that the antics had come at a cost and that he ‘lost friends’ who passed judgement on his displays.

At his post-fight press conference, an emotional Whittaker said: ‘Because of what happened on the internet, I couldn’t enjoy things. Like my brother having two daughters… I couldn’t really enjoy it too much.

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Ben Whittaker broke down in tears as he explained how he ‘lost friends’ over his cocky antics

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The incident came shortly after Whittaker’s victory over Liam Cameron on Sunday night

‘It didn’t really bother me but even close friends, people I class family, left me. They had a lot to say about me. But it was a great time to go back to the old Ben Whittaker.

‘Before the Olympics, I trained hard, locked in and I dedicated to the sport’.

Whittaker detailed how his mindset returned to that which he had when he was still up and coming within the sport and credited his victory with that mental shift.

However, Whittaker still managed to split opinion following his win over Cameron after he ran over to his rival’s coaches and taunted them as he celebrated.

He was later forced to deny spitting on Cameron’s cornermen, which some users on social media had suggested was the case.

Denying that he had spat in the corner, Whittaker told Sky Sports: ‘You heard everybody boo me, they portray me as a bad guy.

‘But I work very hard and my emotions came out – and I was roaring like a lion. If a little bit of dribble came out, a bit of dribble came out.’

Sky Sports commentator Dave Coldwell had criticised Whittaker’s actions as he shouted: ‘Classless.’

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An emotional Whittaker could not hold back tears as he discussed the matter on Sunday

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Whittaker has developed a reputation for showboating inside the boxing ring

Olympic silver medallist Whittaker, from West Bromwich, went across the ring and poked his head through the ropes to celebrate in the face of Cameron’s cornermen.

Whittaker’s trainer Andy Lee said: ‘The barrage of insults he’s had to put up since the the first fight with Cameron… not many people could put up with what he’s gone through.

‘His emotions are bound to get carried away. He is an emotional guy and he did lose control, but this is a champion.’

Johnny Nelson was quick to defend Whittaker after the incident with Cameron’s team, he said: ‘It was emotion coming out. Frustration. Because of what he’s gone through, he’s been vilified. It’s him saying ‘I’m not washed up, everything you’ve said about me is complete rubbish. It’s human emotion.’