3<\/p>\n Whittaker stopped Rivera in two to win his US debut last monthCredit: Getty<\/p>\n No.2-ranked Wallace and No.3-ranked Whittaker are the IBF’s highest-rated contenders, with the No.1 spot currently left vacant.<\/p>\n The IBF is the last in the sanctioning body rotation system for Bivol as the Russian slickster recently fulfilled his mandatory obligation by beating Michael Eifert in May.<\/p>\n He has since been ordered to face WBO interim champion Callum Smith<\/a> amid plans to hold a trilogy bout with Artur Beterbiev<\/a> in Russia.<\/p>\n Whittaker (12-0-1) dispatched Richard Rivera inside two rounds in his US debut last month, and is expected to return to the ring on October 3 for a homecoming fight in Birmingham.<\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE ON BOXING <\/p>\n The expectation was that Whittaker would face a domestic rival such as Anthony Yarde<\/a> or Craig Richards.<\/p>\n However, he has now been handed a golden opportunity against Australia’s Wallace.<\/p>\n The mind games are already in full flow, with Wallace’s promoter Mick Francis insisting that the fight must take place Down Under. <\/p>\n Ben Whittaker heading Down Under?<\/p>\n Speaking to Top Contenders Boxing, he said: “It’s absolutely official.<\/p>\n “Connor has been waiting for this opportunity for a long time; we all know how slow it moves at the top end.<\/p>\n “They were going to order that fight a couple of weeks ago, but they waited for Ben to have his fight over in the US.<\/p>\n 3<\/p>\n Wallace’s promoter Francis (left) insists the fight with Whittaker must take place in AustraliaCredit: Getty<\/p>\n “So you have No.2 against No.3 for the No.1 spot.<\/p>\n “It’s a fight that Connor wants, and it’s a fight that I feel Connor has a chance to win.<\/p>\n “It’s a 50\/50 as far as I am concerned, but we need to bring that fight to Australia.<\/p>\n “This is where we want to have that fight, if they want to put that fight on in Birmingham in October, it is not going to happen.<\/p>\n “Connor Wallace is the A-side. If it’s going to go to purse bids, it will be 75-25.<\/p>\n “If they want to take the fight overseas to the UK, they will have to have deep pockets.<\/p>\n 3<\/p>\n Wallace is ranked at No.2 by the IBF and No.5 by the WBOCredit: Getty<\/p>\n “Eddie Hearn<\/a> has a contract over here with Fox Sports. <\/p>\n “What an opportunity to put on a homegrown Aussie-Irish [boxer] against a superstar in the UK.”<\/p>\n Who is Conor Wallace?<\/p>\n Wallace (17-1) is at a similar stage in his career to Whittaker, having yet to be tested at the elite level.<\/p>\n He was defeated via majority decision by Leti Leti for the Australian light heavyweight title in 2021, but rebounded to knock out the Samoan-born fighter in a rematch one year later.<\/p>\n Read More on talkSPORT<\/p>\n Since the hiccup, Wallace has won ten fights on the bounce, while steadily rising through the IBF and WBO rankings.<\/p>\n Watch Boxing on DAZN<\/p>\n *If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue<\/p>\n Sign up to DAZN<\/a> to access the definitive subscription for boxing fans.<\/p>\n Upgrade to DAZN Ultimate<\/a> from just \u00a324.99\/month, guaranteeing access to 185+ fights annually, a minimum of 12 pay-per-views at no extra cost, as well as every Lega Serie A match and other elite football access.<\/p>\n Alternatively, DAZN Standard<\/a> is just \u00a315.99\/month, with the caveat you will have to pay for pay-per-view events.<\/p>\n![\"Ben](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ben-whittaker-l-throws-punch-1091587415.jpg\")
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