Ben Whittaker survives late Conor Wallace onslaught to become IBF mandatory challenger

Whittaker won 117-111, 116-112, 115-113 in Birmingham after being hurt in the 12th, and said: "If I'm honest, it was too easy."

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published Sun 4 Oct, 05:30 UK · AI-assisted reporting

Referee Kieran McCann raises Ben Whittaker's hand after his win over Conor Wallace in Birmingham — Getty Images

Ben Whittaker beat Conor Wallace on a unanimous decision in Birmingham to become the IBF's mandatory challenger at light heavyweight, but had to hold on through a 12th round in which Wallace hurt him badly.

The judges scored it 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113 at the Utilita Arena. Whittaker kept his WBC Silver belt and moves to 13-0-1, and the win puts him in line for a shot at IBF champion Dmitry Bivol. Wallace drops to 17-2.

Whittaker was in control for most of the fight before Wallace caught him late. In the final round Whittaker held and wrestled to reach the bell, and referee Kieran McCann scored no knockdowns.

"If I'm honest, it was too easy," Whittaker told DAZN. "I took my eye off the ball a little bit. And they come in with a good shot. That's boxing. But what did I do? Dug it out and won."

Asked how hurt he was, he said: "Not really, to be fair. Just making it really messy. A lot of elbows, a lot of the back of the head. But it's a 12 round fight at top level, and I loved it."

He was dismissive of Wallace's late rally. "Just because he won one round, two rounds at max, you know, people think it's an amazing performance for him. But at the end of the day, I won," Whittaker said. "If he wants to get smoked again, he can do. I won very convincingly."

Whittaker had played down Wallace before the fight.