Ben Whittaker Survives Conor Wallace’s Final Round Assault – Boxing News

Ben Whittaker retained his WBC Silver light heavyweight title with a 117-111, 116-112, 115-113 unanimous decision over Conor Wallace in Birmingham, according to Boxing247.com. Wallace’s late-round pressure nearly overturned nine rounds of Whittaker’s control, leaving the victor’s margin of victory less certain than the scorecards suggest. Whittaker (13-0-1) secured the IBF mandatory position, while Wallace (17-2) left Utilita Arena without either title despite the fight’s most dangerous moments.

Whittaker dominated the early rounds, building a lead that proved decisive as Wallace’s 10th-round surge disrupted his rhythm. The 12th became a “fight for survival,” with Wallace landing punches that forced Whittaker to grab, fall, and tackle him to stay upright. No knockdowns were officially scored, though several of Whittaker’s falls could have been ruled knockdowns, making the referee’s decision to count none a disputed element of the final round. Wallace’s slow start left him needing a stoppage, but his strongest round arrived with little room for anything short of a finish.

Final Round Drama

Wallace’s 10th-round pressure marked the first serious challenge to Whittaker’s lead. The home fighter’s complaints to the referee highlighted the shift in momentum, but Whittaker steadied himself in the 11th. That recovery did not last, as the 12th round saw Wallace relentlessly pursue a finish.

Details of the Referee's Decision Remain Unresolved

The scorecards reflected Wallace’s late efforts, with the closest split being 115-113. However, the referee’s decision not to count knockdowns during the final round remains unresolved. Wallace’s inability to convert pressure into rounds earlier in the fight left him reliant on a stoppage, which he failed to achieve. For Whittaker, the next challenge is proving he can defend his title without losing his shape so completely. His trainer, Andy Lee, now faces the task of addressing defensive weaknesses ahead of a potential IBF championship bout against Dmitry Bivol.