Andy Lee: Whittaker 'Ready' for Bivol Before Wallace Fight
Andy Lee says Ben Whittaker is ready for Dmitry Bivol ahead of his Conor Wallace fight Oct. 3 in Birmingham.
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Ben Whittaker's trainer Andy Lee says his fighter is ready for Dmitry Bivol, even though Whittaker has not yet gotten past Conor Wallace this Saturday. Whittaker meets Wallace on October 3 in Birmingham, live on DAZN, in an IBF final eliminator at light heavyweight, and Lee is already talking about the division's biggest name.
"He's ready [for Bivol]," Lee said.
That is about as bold a statement as a trainer can make days out from a final eliminator. Lee sees Whittaker every day in the gym, so his read carries weight, but it is also a claim that puts pressure on Whittaker to perform on Saturday rather than just get the win.
What's At Stake Against Conor Wallace
Beating Wallace would make Whittaker the IBF mandatory challenger, though it would not guarantee him an immediate shot at the title. Bivol still has business of his own to finish first. His WBO mandatory defense against Callum Smith is targeted for December 12 in Yekaterinburg, Russia, though approval for that location is still pending. Bivol has to get past Smith and hold onto his IBF championship before any Whittaker fight becomes realistic, so Saturday's result only sets up part of the picture.
Whittaker's game is built on reflexes and awkward movement, the kind of style that can look spectacular against limited opposition. Wallace is the tougher test of whether that translates into rounds won against someone determined to disrupt the rhythm. Lee's confidence about Bivol means little if Whittaker cannot first show he can adjust when a live opponent takes away his timing.
Betting Angle
There is no market angle here beyond the obvious: Wallace is the whole story on Saturday, and any talk of Bivol is getting ahead of the actual fight in front of Whittaker. Bettors weighing this weekend's card should treat the eliminator on its own terms rather than pricing in a Bivol fight that depends on results Whittaker does not control.
Adding to the buzz around fight week, Whittaker has said he's looking forward to having Dana White at ringside for the Wallace fight, a detail that has raised eyebrows given Eddie Hearn's promotional interest in the card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ben Whittaker fighting next?
Ben Whittaker faces Conor Wallace on October 3 in Birmingham, live on DAZN, in an IBF light heavyweight final eliminator.
Did Andy Lee really say Whittaker is ready for Dmitry Bivol?
Yes, trainer Andy Lee said Ben Whittaker is ready for Dmitry Bivol, though Whittaker must first get past Conor Wallace on October 3.
What happens if Ben Whittaker beats Conor Wallace?
A win over Conor Wallace would make Ben Whittaker the IBF mandatory challenger, but Dmitry Bivol must first get past Callum Smith in a WBO mandatory defense targeted for December 12 in Yekaterinburg before any Whittaker fight can be finalized.
