Ben Whittaker takes on Conor Wallace at Utilita Arena Birmingham tonight in a final eliminator for the IBF light-heavyweight title. The undefeated 2020 Olympic silver medallist is aiming to move a step closer to a maiden world title shot on home soil.
Whittaker's Road to the Eliminator
Whittaker returns following an eye-catching US debut in June, when he stopped Richard Rivera early in Brooklyn on the undercard of Xander Zayas vs Jarron 'Boots' Ennis. That was a fourth straight victory for the 'Surgeon', who is 12-0-1 and defending the WBC silver light-heavyweight belt.
The run follows a shock and bizarre draw against Liam Cameron in Riyadh in October 2024, which was swiftly put right in a rematch before successive first-round knockouts of Benjamin Gavazi and Braian Nahuel Suarez. Whittaker has since switched from Ben Shalom's BOXXER to Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing.
Bivol's Title and Wallace's Challenge
Whittaker has his eyes set on a challenge for the IBF gold at 175lbs, held by former undisputed and current unified champion Dmitry Bivol. Bivol followed his stunning rematch win over Artur Beterbiev with a dominant points victory against Michael Eifert in his first fight for 15 months in Russia in May.
However, Bivol has been ordered to defend his WBO strap against Liverpool's Callum Smith, the mandatory challenger, rather than complete a trilogy with Beterbiev. That showdown is set for Yekaterinburg on December 12.
Wallace, the 17-1 southpaw from Newry, Northern Ireland now based in Australia, is looking to spring a huge upset. He has reeled off 10 consecutive wins since his lone professional defeat by Leti Leti in 2021, winning the IBF Pan Pacific and WBO Inter-Continental titles along the way. Wallace last fought with a sixth-round stoppage of Argentina's Walter Gabriel Sequeira in Brisbane in April.
Fight Time, Undercard and How to Watch
Main event ring walks have initially been listed for approximately 10:33pm BST in the UK, which is 5:33pm ET and 2:33pm PT in the United States. Coverage of the main undercard begins at 7pm, with early bouts from 4:30pm.
The undercard features Bilal Fawaz vs Eithan James, Sean Bruce vs Hamza Uddin, Ibraheem Sulaimaan vs Sonny Hardy, Odel Kamara vs Thodoris Ritzakis, Klinton Baptiste vs Aaron Bowen, Adam Maca vs Rogger Rivera, Harley Burrows vs Matias Ezequiel Herrera, and Paige Murney vs Linzi Buczynskyj.
Whittaker vs Wallace is available to watch live in the UK via DAZN, as part of their regular subscription service and not pay-per-view.
Weigh-In Results, Prediction and Odds
Whittaker tipped the scales on Friday at 174.9lbs, while Wallace weighed in a pound lighter at 173.9lbs. The prediction is for Whittaker to win by knockout in the middle rounds.
Odds via UK betting sites (subject to change) list Whittaker to win at 1/10, Wallace to win at 13/2, and a draw at 25/1. Whittaker to win on points or by decision is 5/1, while a knockout, technical knockout or disqualification win for Whittaker is 1/4. Wallace to win on points or by decision is 16/1, and by knockout, technical knockout or disqualification is 10/1.
