Ben Whittaker has vowed to put on another show-stopping performance when he collides with Conor Wallace on Saturday night in their Final Eliminator for the IBF Light Heavyweight Title – live on DAZN.

Visitor Wallace was buoyed by his vocal travelling support as the pair weighed in ahead of their showdown at the Utilita Arena.

But the reigning and defending WBC Silver belt holder Whittaker was cool, calm and collected as he registered on the scales at 174.9lbs as Wallace came in lighter at 173.9lbs.

Speaking on stage tonight Whittaker, who has stopped all three of his opponents since joining Matchroom Boxing last year, said: “You know what time it is. I bring the glitz and the glam. Tomorrow, it is work time.

“There’s levels to this game. He [Conor Wallace] knows that. He’s happy to be here. I’m meant to be here. 

“He’s got a loss on his record, I haven’t. He’s slow as hell. I’m not. I tick every single box, he doesn’t. It’s time now for me to show that.

“My final prediction? Pain.”

Wallace, however, insists he is ready to spoil Whittaker’s homecoming and as he targets a date with the winner of December’s Unified Title showdown between Champion Dmitry Bivol and Callum Smith.

The Australian-based fighter said: “It’s great to have everyone here. There’s nothing like the fighting Irish. But it’s me who is going to be doing the fighting and he [Ben Whittaker] knows that.

“I’ve worked for nights like this my whole life. It’s the biggest test of my career. I know that. But the bigger the fighter, the better I perform. 

“I’m coming here tomorrow night to spoil the party. It’s like the fight is in my.hometown, not his.”

Matchroom Boxing’s latest recruit Odel Kamara is the co-Main Event on what is a stacked card as the Super Welterweight sensation from Liverpool makes his eagerly awaited professional debut.

Elsewhere, Walsall’s Hamza Uddin battles Sean Bruce for the British & Commonwealth Flyweight Titles, as Bilal Fawaz defends his British & Commonwealth Super Welterweight Titles against Eithan James. 

Ibraheem Sulaimaan, meanwhile, meets Sonny Hardy for the English Super Featherweight Title as Aaron Bowen battles Klint Baptiste for the Midlands Area Super Middleweight Title. Plus, rising undefeated young guns Adam Maca and Harley Burrows are both in action too.

BIRMINGHAM FIGHT CARD, OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3 – LIVE ON DAZN

PRELIMS – LIVE ON DAZN FROM 5pm (UK)

Paige Murney (137.3lbs) vs Linzi Buczynskyj (133lbs)
Lightweight Contest
4 x 2-minute rounds

Harley Burrows (162.8lbs) vs Matias Ezequiel Herrera (159.5lbs)
Featherweight Contest
6 x 3-minute rounds

Adam Maca (128.l8lbs) vs Rogger Rivera (127.3lbs)
Super Featherweight Contest
6 x 3-minute rounds

Aaron Bowen (167.5lbs) vs Klint Baptiste (167.3lbs)
Midlands Area Super Middleweight Title
10 x 3-minute rounds

MAIN CARD – LIVE ON DAZN at 7pm (UK)

Ibraheem Sulaimaan (129.8lbs) vs Sonny Hardy (129.6lbs)
English Super Featherweight Title
10 x 3-minute rounds

Bilal Fawaz (153.3lbs) vs Eithan James (153.8lbs)
British & Commonwealth Super Welterweight Titles
12 x 3-minute rounds

Sean Bruce (112lbs) vs Hamza Uddin (111.4lbs)
British & Commonwealth Flyweight Titles
12 x 3-minute rounds

Odel Kamara (156lbs) vs Thodoris Ritzakis (156.3lbs)
Super Welterweight Contest
4 x 3-minute rounds 

Ben Whittaker (174.9lbs) vs Conor Wallace (173.9lbs)
Final Eliminator for IBF World Light Heavyweight Title & WBC Silver Championship
12 x 3-minute rounds

Things got heated as Ben Whittaker and Conor Wallace came face-to-face for the first time before their crunch showdown this Saturday in a Final Eliminator for the IBF Light Heavyweight Title this Saturday – live on DAZN.

A bumper crowd awaits at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena as Team GB Olympic Silver Medallist Whittaker returns to his home city for what is his toughest test to date in a battle to become the No.1 ranked contender to the winner of December’s bout between Unified ruler Dmitry Bivol and Britain’s Callum Smith.

Defending his WBC Silver strap on home soil this weekend, Whittaker was wound up on stage by Wallace and as he warned his rival that he is simply a “stepping stone” in his mission to become king of the 175lbs division.

“I think the difference between me and him [Conor Wallace] is that he’s happy to be here and I meant to be here,” said Whittaker, who has spent just 426 seconds in the ring since making his Matchroom Boxing debut last November having knocked out all three of his last three opponents in double quick time.

Whilst the Andy Lee-trained fighter is ready to get more rounds in, he is determined to ensure Wallace’s night ends early too.

“On Saturday it’s time to show out and show why I am so good,”Whittaker added. 

“I know he’s game. I know he’s tough. And he has come here to try and change his life. It’s his World Cup Final. But he’s just a stepping stone for me and I’ve got to show that. 

“I’d love to do the rounds – but I’d not love to either. There’s nothing better than knocking people out before you get backstage to eat some Five Guys then chilling out. 

“The fans are paying their hard earned, so to get the rounds and look good under the lights to earn my money would be nice as well.

“You know what I bring. I bring the glitz and the glamour every time I step out. This is something different and something special, being back home once again with a massive crowd, so it’s only right that we go one bigger.”

Australian-based Wallace, who arrived in the UK last week, insists he will upset the apple cart this Saturday as he prepares to collide with a “great operator” in Whittaker.

“It’s great to be here in Birmingham,” said Wallace.

“This fight has been brewing for a while and I’m glad it’s finally here. The better the opponent, the better I perform. I’ve shown that throughout my entire career. You will see the best version of Conor Wallace on Saturday night.

“We know that Ben is a great operator and that he’s got a great team with Andy Lee. It will be a hard fight. But I am in the shape of my life, mentally and physically, and I’m looking forward to putting on a great show.

“It’s great to have my support. I love it. I love the big crowds. That drives me on and sometimes Greg [Eadie, Wallace’s trainer] goes a bit mad when I go away from the game plan. But that’s alright. We’ve got a big task ahead and I am ready to execute the game plan.”

Matchroom Boxing’s latest recruit Odel Kamara joins the stacked card as the Super Welterweight sensation from Liverpool makes his eagerly awaited professional debut.

Walsall’s Hamza Uddin battles Sean Bruce for the British & Commonwealth Flyweight Titles, as Bilal Fawaz defends his British & Commonwealth Super Welterweight Titles against Eithan James. 

Ibraheem Sulaimaan, meanwhile, meets Sonny Hardy for the English Super Featherweight Title as Aaron Bowen battles Klint Baptiste for the Midlands Area Super Middleweight Title. Plus, rising undefeated young guns Adam Maca and Harley Burrows are in action too.

And promoter Eddie Hearn is excited for what will be Matchroom Boxing’s biggest crowd in the Midlands for over a decade.

“This is a very important month for Matchroom, British boxing and DAZN,”said Matchroom Sport Chairman, Eddie Hearn.

“This Saturday, the headline act is Ben Whittaker against Conor Wallace in a final eliminator for the IBF World Light Heavyweight Championship. 

“Of course, the winner of that fight will be the mandatory challenger to the Unified World Title winner that will take place between Dmitry Bivol and Callum Smith in December. There is lots to play for. Conor Wallace was a fantastic amateur and has got a huge support over for him with over 500 coming from Ireland and Australia. 

“But he’s coming up against Ben Whittaker, who people are looking at as the new star of world boxing. On Saturday night, you’ll see something different in the arena. You will see that growth. 

“This will be the biggest crowd we have had in the Midlands since we had Amir Khan around 10 years ago. It’s a hige night with a huge crowd and so much incredible talent on display. 

“We have an English Championship fight, two British Title fights, the professional debut of who I believe will be one of the next future stars of world boxing in Odel Kamara. It will be a brilliant night – live on the Global Home of Boxing, DAZN.”

Scroll down to watch the Press Conference in full in the video player below.

And keep track of all the latest news and updates on social media @matchroomboxing

Matchroom Boxing, in partnership with Goldstar Promotions and Tasman Fighters, is delighted to announce the signing of Conor Wallace.

The Australian-based Irishman, who boasts an impressive 14-1 record with 10 victories coming by the way of knockout, is considered to be one of the most exciting Light-Heavyweights on the planet.

Ranked No.2 by the IBF, the 28-year-old Newry-born southpaw is favourably placed across the 175lbs weight class with the WBO placing him at No.5 and the WBC listing Wallace at No.6.

Wallace – who fights next on December 11, live on DAZN – is determined to close in on a World Title shot in a division that is almost certain to open up in 2025.

“I’m very excited,” said Wallace. “I’ve dreamt about being a World Champion since I was a young boy. That is my ultimate goal. 

“I’m looking forward to some huge nights ahead with Matchroom, Tasman Fighters and Goldstar – and I’m fully focused on the job at hand on December 11.”

Billed as a “Christmas Cracker” Down Under, Wallace will be hoping to spread some early festive cheer when he faces South Africa’s Asemahle ‘The Predator’ Wellem, headlining at the Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia – a hometown venue where Wallace has won on all five previous visits via stoppages.

Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn said: “This is a fantastic signing for us – and one we are thrilled to be working alongside Mick Francis at Tasman Fighters and Spencer Brown at Goldstar.

“There is no denying Conor’s ability and certainly it is going to be hard to stop him. I can see an incredibly bright future for him in the ring and there are many big fights ahead in a division that promises to deliver more fireworks in 2025.”

Spencer Brown, Founder of Goldstar Promotions, said: “I’m very happy to be working with Eddie and Mick to help guide Conor, who promises to become a future a world champion in the sport.

“He is an incredibly skilled and talented fighter – and one I am genuinely excited to be sharing this journey with. 

“His stock is already very high Down Under and on December 11, I believe the entire boxing world will put be on notice. Conor is coming for it all.”

Tasman Fighters promoter Mick Francis added: “Having Eddie Hearn and Spencer Brown supporting Tasman Fighters and Conor Wallace is a game changer. 

“I can’t think of a better partnership in boxing and gives Conor the opportunity to fight here in Australia and around the world as the home side. We are all looking forward to the future.”

Joining Wallace on the December 11 bill is unbeaten Heavyweight Justis Hunni (10-0, 5 KOs), who takes on Argentina southpaw Leandro ‘La Bestia’ Robutti (11-6, 8 KOs) over eight rounds.

 You can follow Wallace’s journey on Instagram: cpw96

Jai Opetaia won the IBF Cruiserweight championship with a 12-round unanimous decision over longstanding champion Mairis Briedis in a entertaining war at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Queensland, Australia.

In round one, Briedis was cut over his right eye. In round four, Opetaia landed a big uppercut that drew blood from the nose of Briedis. Opetaia dominated the action by landing hard shots and moving, not letting the champion get into any rhythm.

Seemingly way behind, Briedis landed two hard shots in round 10 that hurt Opetaia, but the hometown challenger was able to withstand the fire. In round 12, Opetaia was bleeding from the mouth. He had to hang on as he took huge shots in the final round.

Opetaia, 198.42 lbs of Queensland, AUS won by scores of 116-112 twice and 115-113 and is now 22-0. Briedis, 199.08 lbs of Riga, LA is 28-2.

Hardman Obliterates Hartas in 1st

Isaac Hardman scored a scary first-round stoppage over Beau Hartas in the opening round of the 10-round middleweight fight.

Hardman landed a devastating right to the face that sent Hartas plummeting face-first to the canvas where he laid motionless for several minutes. Hartas came-to and was able to leave the ring on his own power. The time was 2:49.

Hardman, 160 lbs of Queensland is now 13-1 with 11 knockouts. Hartas, 159 1/2 lbs of New South Wales, AUS is 6-2.

Wallace Decisions Chevalier

Conor Wallace won a 10-round split decision over world-ranked Faris Chevalier in a light heavyweight bout.

Wallace, 174 1/2 lbs of Brisbane, AUS won by scores of 98-92 twice while Chevalier won a card 96-94.

Wallace is now 9-1. Chevalier, 174 1/2 lbs of Melbourne, AUS is 13-2.

Mazoudier Decisions Camilleri

Koen Mazoudier won a 10-round split decision over Joel Camilleri in a junior middleweight fight.

Mazoudier, 152 3/4 lbs of Blacktown, AUD won by scores of 99-92, 98-92 and a third card rea 96-95 for Camilleri. Maziudier is 10-2. Camilleri, 153 1/4 lbs of Brisbane, AS 22-8-1.

This was a rematch of a November 17, 2021 bout where Mazoudier also took a split decision

Robertson stops Fernandez in 10

Taylah Robertson dominated and battered Yoselin Fernandez in the 10th and final round of their super flyweight contest.

Robertson beat up Fernandez and finally the fight was stopped at 33 seconds of round 10.

Robertson, 114 3/4 lbs of Brisbane, AUS is 6-1 with two knockouts. Fernandez, 114 lbs of Caracas, VEN 11-2.

Coolwell stops Ladrada in 4

Dana Coolwell stops Lorenz Ladrada in round four of their scheduled eight-round featherweight bout.

In round four, Coolwell landed a right uppercut that was followed by a crushing left to the body that sent Coolwell down for the count at 2:59.

Coolwell, 125 3/4 lbs of Queensland, AUS is 8-2 with six knockouts. Ladrada, 125 1/4 lbs of The Philippines is 11-3-1.