Ben Whittaker Survives A Real Scare Against Conor Wallace In Birmingham
Conor Wallace (17-2) will regret not starting his serious work a little earlier on Saturday night at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham. For nine rounds it was relatively one-sided. It was easy. Ben Whittaker (13-0-1) was cruising until he wasn’t. Wallace threatened to do an Hrgovic. Whittaker looked to be in full Itauma mode. Unravelling after dominating a fight with much comfort. The hype-train looked in serious jeopardy of being derailed.
Whittaker survived a real scare against his 30-year-old opponent. But there must now be serious doubts about how he will do when he finally finds himself with the elite of the light-heavyweight division. Whittaker won the IBF final eliminator, but the unanimous scores of 117-111, 116-112, and a far too-close 115-113 don’t tell the full story. This observer had it 9-3 in rounds.
Wallace started the late surge in the 10th round, and for the final nine minutes he seemed to be on the verge of pulling off the seismic upset. Whittaker showed resilience in surviving a mini-crisis. In truth, it was a little more than that. Whittaker said he just switched off. I’m not so sure it’s as simple as that.
Whittaker looked on the verge of going in the 12th and final round. The Australian-based Wallace was seemingly a few solid punches away from an unlikely victory. Whittaker grabbed and held as he struggled to stay upright. He fell to the floor three times. Exhausted. And hurt. The bell would have been a welcome relief. Did it save him from defeat? Probably. It wasn’t supposed to be like that. The supposed showcase, became a case of what could have been.
Whittaker needed rounds. He got them. But it’s proof that he isn’t ready for a crack at the world title. He might not be ready for a few of his British rivals. Too many easy nights have stalled his progress somewhat. Talented. But he needs more.
The unbeaten Whittaker was a class above in the opening rounds. A left hook exploded on Wallace in the 3rd round, but Whittaker couldn’t find the finishing punches. It was a little more competitive from the 5th round onwards. But Wallace wasn’t doing enough to win rounds. He was competent. But tentative. There was no belief. Wallace finished strong, but he left it far too late. He seemed content on losing on points. The left hand started to land. But it should have come much earlier. If it had, he might have gone home with a famous victory.
At 29, Whittaker will have learned many lessons. He survived that desperate final three minutes. Just. That’s a plus. He showed his heart. Many would have doubted that side of his game. It could even be the making of him. But this is the second time we have seen Whittaker struggle like this.
There is talk of a rematch. It might be a safer option rather than someone with a little more to their game than the limited Wallace. Better fighters will now fancy it. It was a night that left us with more questions than answers.
Photo Credit: Matchroom Boxing
