Ringside footage shows Ben Whittaker’s first-round KO in all its brutality as dispute cleared up

Ben Whittaker’s knockout win over Braian Suarez looks even more vicious from ringside.

Whittaker was elevated to the headline slot on Saturday night at the Liverpool Arena after Callum Smith dropped off the bill.

And the Olympic silver medallist seized the opportunity with another quick finish.

It took ‘The Surgeon’ just one round to get his man out of there in what, at least on paper, looked to be a slight step up in opposition.

Suarez had given Lyndon Arthur serious problems the last time he fought in Britain, dropping and repeatedly hurting the European light heavyweight champion before succumbing to a tenth-round stoppage loss.

Whittaker had no such issues and dealt with the Argentine with ease.

A chopping overhand right sent Suarez tumbling to the canvas, where he was counted out after two minutes and 24 seconds of the opening stanza.

Suarez and his team complained to the referee that the shot had landed on the back of his head.

However, ringside footage shows that the punch was legal and that Whittaker had caught Suarez on the left side of his head just behind the ear.

Whittaker is now set to travel across the pond to make his US debut on the Xander Zayas vs Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis undercard in New York on June 27.

His promoter, Eddie Hearn, is then planning for Whittaker to headline back in Birmingham in a ‘big domestic fight’ at the back end of the year.

Speaking in the immediate aftermath of his victory, Whittaker said: “It’s a good feeling.

“It shows that you are doing something right, and the hard work is paying off.

“It’s only right to fight in the U.S. soon and make my name. It’s only up from here.

“I’m in a big position with Matchroom behind me.

“I can fight from all angles, and now it’s showing that I can hurt people, too.

“It’s going to be an exciting year for me. I know how good I am.

“But you can’t rush the process. I want to get there as a champion.”

Boxing schedule

For all the upcoming fights and results this year, check out talkSPORT.com’s  boxing schedule.