Whittaker vs Wallace ended in a unanimous decision for Ben Whittaker on Saturday night in Birmingham, England, but the final three rounds were far tighter than the first nine. The judges scored the IBF title eliminator 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113, ESPN reported.
The result makes Whittaker the mandatory challenger for the IBF light heavyweight title. It also left the 29-year-old with plenty to explain after Conor Wallace nearly turned the fight around.
Whittaker vs Wallace: how the fight swung
Whittaker boxed and showboated for most of the night at Utilita Arena, in front of roughly 5,000 fans, according to BBC Sport. He briefly staggered Wallace in the third round with a shot that skimmed the forehead, then found his rhythm behind the jab.
Everything changed in Round 10. Wallace landed a big left hand that shook Whittaker, and the Northern Irishman kept coming. In the 12th, Whittaker hit the canvas three times, though none was ruled a knockdown. He held on until the final bell. ESPN said Whittaker dominated the first nine rounds against the more experienced Wallace.
Three notes from the win
- The record. Whittaker, an Olympic silver medalist for Team GB in Tokyo, improved to 13 wins and one draw as a professional. Wallace, 30, took the second loss of his 19 fights.
- The warning. Whittaker owned up to the late scare. “It was too easy and I took my eye off the ball a little bit,” he told BBC Sport. “I only have myself to blame.”
- The rematch. Wallace asked for an immediate rematch after the fight, BBC Sport reported.
What comes next for Whittaker
Whittaker now sits in line for Dmitry Bivol, who holds the IBF belt along with the WBA super and WBO titles. BBC Sport reported that Bivol is expected to face Liverpool’s Callum Smith in December.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said it is unlikely the winner of that fight will be ready for Whittaker until next summer, so Whittaker “needs to fight in the interim.” That could mean a rematch with Wallace or another tune-up bout.
Whittaker has been on the rise this year. Read our report on his first-round knockout and the big fights he is chasing, and our story on the Eddie Hearn and Dana White feud over a boxing showdown. For more fight coverage, visit our boxing section.
