Ben Whittaker beats Conor Wallace to secure IBF mandatory position

Ben Whittaker defeated Conor Wallace by unanimous decision in Birmingham on Saturday to become the mandatory challenger for the IBF light-heavyweight world title. BBC Sport reported that the unbeaten Briton survived a difficult finish at the Utilita Arena before receiving scores of 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113.

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The result took Whittaker's professional record to 13 wins and one draw. Wallace, 30, suffered his second defeat in 19 professional fights, but his late pressure threatened to overturn a contest that the 29-year-old Olympic silver medallist had controlled for long stretches. The judges ultimately all favoured Whittaker after 12 rounds.

Whittaker began to establish himself in the third round, briefly unsettling Wallace with a punch to the forehead. Wallace landed a strong left in the sixth, prompting trainer Andy Lee to urge Whittaker to maintain his concentration. Whittaker recovered control, although that warning preceded a much more dangerous spell for him later in the fight.

Wallace hurt Whittaker with a left in the 10th and followed up with another heavy shot. In the final round, Whittaker went to the canvas three times, but none of those incidents was ruled a knockdown. He reached the final bell under pressure as Wallace pursued the finish that could have changed the result.

Afterwards, Whittaker acknowledged that he had lost concentration and spent too much time showboating when he felt comfortable, according to BBC Sport. Wallace requested an immediate rematch. Whittaker indicated he was willing to face him again, while also leaving open the possibility of pursuing a different opponent.

The mandatory position puts Whittaker in line for IBF champion Dmitry Bivol, who also holds the WBA super and WBO titles. BBC Sport reported that Bivol is expected to meet Callum Smith in December. Promoter Eddie Hearn said Whittaker would likely have to wait until next summer to face the winner and would need another bout in the meantime. Hearn welcomed a Wallace rematch, but no return fight was confirmed in the report.