Whittaker and Wallace Clash in IBF Light-Heavy Final Eliminator
The winner will be named the IBF mandatory challenger for Dmitry Bivol, with a title shot likely delayed by Bivol's December 12 WBO mandatory, followed by an expected rematch with Artur Beterbiev.
Overview
- The IBF final eliminator between Ben Whittaker and Conor Wallace is set for Saturday, Oct. 3 at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena and will stream live on DAZN with bookmakers making Whittaker the heavy favorite.
- Whittaker is an Olympic 2020 silver medallist who is 12-0-1 with nine KOs and arrives on a recent knockout run that has raised his domestic profile and ticket demand.
- Wallace is the IBF No. 2 at 17-1 with 12 KOs, is riding a 10-fight win streak, and will make his first professional appearance outside Australia in Birmingham.
- A fiery Oct. 1 press conference produced a staredown that required security and promoters reported a crowd of more than 7,000 with extra tickets released to meet demand.
- Winning secures the IBF mandatory position for Bivol but the new mandatory may not produce an immediate world title fight because Bivol has an agreed WBO mandatory on Dec. 12 and is widely expected to seek a rematch with Artur Beterbiev, a sequence that could delay the eliminator winner’s next step.