Ben Whittaker says Conor Wallace is "happy to be here" before IBF eliminator

Wallace says Whittaker's side are "overlooking me" and predicts "a massive upset" in Birmingham on Saturday.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published Fri 2 Oct, 11:45 UK · AI-assisted reporting

Ben Whittaker and Conor Wallace face off at the press conference in Birmingham — Photo: Matchroom Boxing

Conor Wallace has predicted a big upset against Ben Whittaker in their IBF final eliminator in Birmingham on Saturday, and Whittaker says the fight is just a stepping stone for him.

"I just think the difference between me and him is he's happy to be here. I'm meant to be here, so Saturday it's time to show out," Whittaker said at Thursday's press conference. "He's game. He's tough... this is like his World Cup. This is the final battle for him. This is just a stepping stone for me."

Wallace, the Australia-based southpaw, told talkSPORT: "I feel like they're overlooking me and it's a very, very stupid thing to do." He added: "This is his first genuine test in the pros. Yes, he has in the amateurs, but it's a completely different sport. And we've seen when the going gets tough, he does not like it."

"You're going to see a massive upset. It's been a year of the upset so far," Wallace said.

Whittaker, the Olympic silver medallist from Wolverhampton, is 12-0-1 with nine knockouts. Wallace is 17-1 with 12. The winner becomes the IBF's mandatory challenger to the winner of December's fight between Dmitry Bivol and Callum Smith.

The fight is at Utilita Arena Birmingham on DAZN, with the main event expected at 22:00 UK and Irish time. Full timings are on our Whittaker vs Wallace start time page.