Ben Whittaker has landed the biggest opportunity of his professional career after a deal was confirmed for him to face Conor Wallace in an IBF light heavyweight final eliminator on October 3 at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, England. The fight will be shown live on DAZN.
The winner will become the mandatory challenger for Dmitry Bivol’s IBF light heavyweight title, placing one victory between Whittaker and his first world title shot. The bout matches the division’s #2 contender, Wallace, against Whittaker, who is ranked number three under the IBF rankings.
While Wallace holds the higher ranking, his record has been built almost entirely against regional-level opposition in Australia. The 30-year-old has yet to beat an established world contender despite spending eight years in the professional ranks. His biggest victories have come against fighters such as Jerome Pampellone and Dylan Colin, making it difficult to judge how he will perform against the most talented opponent of his career.
Whittaker has also been criticized for the level of his opposition as a professional, but he brings a much stronger amateur background into the eliminator. The Olympic silver medalist defeated several elite amateurs during his run to the 2020 Olympic final before losing to Cuba’s Arlen López in the gold medal bout. That experience against elite international competition gives him an advantage that Wallace does not possess.
If Bivol keeps hold of the IBF title, the winner will move into position for a championship fight under the sanctioning body’s rules.
This is a fight for Whittaker, 29, that should provide a clearer picture of his true standing among the global elite. Wallace’s ranking makes him a legitimate opponent, but his record leaves questions about how much resistance he can offer against a fighter with Whittaker’s amateur pedigree.
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Last Updated on 2026/07/20 at 12:25 PM
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