Whale registers the best win of career

Whale keeps Ballingall at bay. Picture: Lawrence Lustig/Boxxer

SUNDAY’S huge Resorts World bill provided a first ringside look at Elliot Whale, a former vaunted amateur tipped for big things in the paid ranks.

On Boxxer’s major promotion, the southpaw notched his 12th straight win – seven coming inside distance - and the biggest of his fledgling career.

Over eight rounds, the 27-year-old outpointed Portsmouth’s tough and ambitious Lucas Ballingall. Referee Kevin Parker scored the entertaining contest 79-74. I had it closer, but there’s no doubt the right man had his hand raised.

That’s a good scalp for Whale. In a 21 bout career (three losses), Ballingall has captured the English super-lightweight title and, last May, outpointed dangerous Kaisee Benjamin for the IBF European belt.

After that performance, a significant fight must surely beckon for Whale.

He’s a Kent lad, billed out of Sidcup, but Elliot’s West Midlands links are very strong. He’s part of Shiney Singh’s top-notch Walsall gym. Shiney has very high hopes for Whale and I can see why.

He moved well and connected with clean, correct punches. Ballingall  (10st 8lbs), fighting out of a crouch his hands high in a peek-a-boo style pressed throughout, looking to work inside.

Whale (10st 9lbs), tall and rangy, stayed composed and covered well. He was aggressive in the second, slamming rights to Ballingall’s flanks and landed some meaty shots in the fourth as Ballingall bulled forward.

The Pompey fighter prowled, had success in the seventh – an eye-catching right catching Whale on the ropes, but was copping flak coming in.

Whale let his hands go in a spirited last to seal the well deserved decision.

He may be from Kent, but on this showing I think we should claim him as our own.