Ben Whittaker in advanced talks to face Conor Wallace

Ben Whittaker is reportedly in advanced negotiations to face Conor Wallace on October 3 at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham.

Whittaker, ranked No. 3 by the IBF at light heavyweight, would meet the organization’s No. 2 contender in a fight expected to determine the next mandatory challenger at 175lbs.

Wallace’s team had pushed for the contest to take place in Australia, where the Northern Ireland-born contender is based, but Birmingham now appears to be the likely destination.

Whittaker recently won the WBC Silver title by stopping Richard Rivera during his United States debut, but the unbeaten Briton now appears to be pursuing the IBF route toward a world title opportunity.

Victory would place either Whittaker or Wallace in line to challenge unified champion Dmitry Bivol, or compete for a vacant belt if Bivol is stripped or chooses to relinquish the title.

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