Whittaker survives late scare to hold on for points win
BBC • • sports
Key Points:
- British light-heavyweight Ben Whittaker won a points decision against Conor Wallace in Birmingham, moving closer to a world-title shot and becoming the mandatory challenger for the IBF world title.
- Whittaker controlled most of the fight with superior boxing skill, but Wallace mounted a strong comeback in the final rounds, nearly turning the fight around.
- The judges scored the bout 117-111, 116-112, and 115-113 in favor of Whittaker, who extended his unbeaten professional record to 13 wins and one draw.
- Wallace suffered his second career defeat and called for an immediate rematch, which Whittaker and promoter Eddie Hearn are open to considering before Whittaker's anticipated title shot against IBF champion Dmitry Bivol.
- The fight featured a dramatic 10th round where Whittaker was hurt by Wallace, and a tense final round with Whittaker surviving multiple knockdowns, highlighting the competitive nature of the contest.
