The build-up to next weekend’s fight between Ben Whittaker and Ezra Arenyeka has been dominated by press conference outbursts, showboating highlights and trash talk.

Although he is the one who has instigated the whole affair, Arenyeka is determined to remind entertaining crossover star Whittaker that they are in the fight business – not show business – when the light heavyweights fight at London's Selhurst Park on June 15.

Arenyeka (12-0, 10 KOs) fully expects Whittaker to run through his whole repertoire of tricks when they finally get into the ring, but he isn’t dreading the thought of being bamboozled or humiliated by the Olympic silver medalist.

Arenyeka, 28, told BoxingScene that he understands exactly what Whittaker is doing because he used to use exactly the same tricks and techniques himself.

“The funny thing, I used to be that person,” Arenyeka said. “As a professional, you learn to tone it down and show some respect. The Drunken Master, I used to do the Ali Shuffle. I did all that kind of stuff. I’m a big Muhammad Ali fan, so we might be seeing that. You never know.”

Arenyeka is still relatively new to professional boxing himself. He turned over in March 2022, just four months before Whittaker.

Whilst Whittaker, a 27-year-old from Wolverhampton, U.K., was working his way up to the highest level of amateur boxing, Arenyeka was battling in professional gyms and fighting on the white-collar circuit. As professionals, Whittaker has been showcased and feted whilst Arenyeka has traveled the world looking for opportunities, fighting at home in Nigeria and in his adopted home of Britain, as well as Holland, Ghana and Colombia.

His experiences have taught him just how serious his chosen profession is.

“I work on my strengths,” Arenyeka said. “This is professional boxing. It isn’t tippy-tap. You go in there to take your opponent out. Why waste time? When you’re in a professional ring, your opponent is coming to take you out. When you’re messing around, that’s not ideal. With lower fighters, it’s OK. But when you step it up, you need to be on it.

“These are men, not boys. Hungry men who are trying to make a living and feed their families. They’re trying to take your head out. They want the money rewards. That’s why it’s different for me now. It’s about getting the job done. Seeing blood and taking my opponent out.”

A couple of days after interrupting Whittaker’s press conference and loudly introducing himself, Arenyeka watched on as Central Area light heavyweight titleholder Leon Willings performed well and enjoyed brief moments of success during his eight-round loss to Whittaker. Willings’ performance bolstered Arenyeka’s belief that Whittaker still has too many amateur traits.

Arenyeka is under no illusions. He knows that he will need to come through some difficult, testing moments if he is to cause a massive upset. But he believes that the years he has spent hardening himself in professional gyms will be the telling difference.

“Definitely. Leon exposed him a little bit,” Arenyeka said of Whittaker. “He made him look average. He didn’t make him look as special as the world thinks he is. I don’t think he’s that special. He’s a good fighter, don’t get me wrong. But you need to build experience to get to that level. Amateur experience is OK, but that and professional experience are two different things. I’ve been in professional gyms for a longer period than him, I believe. I think this fight is made for me.

“He showboats, I might showboat. I’m gonna knock him out. Yeah, man. Just keep your chin up for me, champ. That’s what I’m waiting for.”