Ben Whittaker beats Conor Wallace to secure IBF mandatory position

Ben Whittaker defeated Conor Wallace on points in Birmingham to become the mandatory challenger for the IBF light-heavyweight world title, surviving a difficult finish after building an early advantage. The judges returned scores of 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113 at the Utilita Arena, according to BBC Sport's ringside report by Kal Sajad. The result kept Whittaker unbeaten as a professional.

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The 29-year-old British fighter now has 13 wins and one draw. Wallace, 30, sustained the second defeat of his 19-fight career, but his late pressure left Whittaker needing to protect the lead he had established. Wallace asked for an immediate rematch afterward, while Whittaker indicated he was willing to face him again or move on.

Whittaker had the better of much of the early action, briefly unsettling Wallace with a punch in the third round before settling into his rhythm. Wallace landed a strong left in the sixth, prompting trainer Andy Lee to urge Whittaker to remain focused. Whittaker recovered control, but his opponent's success provided a warning before the much more testing closing stages.

The contest shifted sharply in the 10th, when Wallace hurt Whittaker with a left from his southpaw stance and followed with another damaging shot. Wallace continued attacking after receiving a warning for punching on the break. He pressed again in the 12th against a tiring Whittaker, who went to the canvas three times in that round. None of those incidents was scored as a knockdown, and Whittaker reached the final bell.

Afterward, Whittaker acknowledged that he had become too comfortable and allowed his showboating to distract him. His victory puts him in line for IBF champion Dmitry Bivol, who also holds the WBA super and WBO titles. BBC Sport reported that Bivol is expected to face Callum Smith in December; that prospective meeting remains part of the picture rather than a confirmed next opponent for Whittaker.

Promoter Eddie Hearn welcomed the possibility of another Wallace fight while Whittaker waits for his world-title opportunity. Hearn said a bout against the Bivol-Smith winner was unlikely to come before next summer, leaving room for an interim contest. A rematch was therefore discussed after the decision, but the report did not announce an agreement or a date for one.