Whittaker v Wallace: Barry Jones backs The Surgeon inside five

Barry Jones sets the scene for Saturday night. "Here's my preview and prediction for this Saturday's light heavyweight fight, Ben Whittaker, of course he's a big medalist from the UK, versus Conor Wallace, Australia's 17-1 light heavyweight prospect."

He does not dismiss the challenger. "Good fight, this. On paper, it looks like a really good test for Ben Whittaker."

## The threat Conor Wallace brings

Barry runs through what makes Wallace dangerous. "Conor Wallace, like I said, he's 17-1, only one defeat, 12 knockouts, 6ft 3.5 southpaw. That usually signals a nightmare for most fighters."

The style is the problem for most opponents. "He is awkward, he's tall, like I said, and he punches long and he comes forward in spurts of three punching combinations and can switch at times as well," Barry says. "He will lead with the back hand rather than the front hand and that always makes him awkward to defend against."

## Where Whittaker has the edge

For all of that, Barry is firm. "I can't see any way of Ben Whittaker losing it." Even the older version of Whittaker would have had the answers. "Ben Whittaker, before he teamed up with Andy Lee, would have the skills and the movement to outfox and outbox Conor Wallace."

He has spotted a flaw in the Wallace defence. "He lifts that chin up high," Barry says. And the new, sharper Whittaker is built to exploit it. "I think the power punching, more direct I would say, a more focused approach that we've seen from Ben Whittaker in his last few performances, I think he'd go through Conor Wallace."

## How Barry sees the fight playing out

Barry expects an early feeling out period. "I think he'd have a good look in the first round or two because Wallace will be light on his feet, bouncing, a little bit negative, but also jumping in with attacks, surprise attacks."

That is where he thinks it turns. "I think that's what Wallace is down for. I think he'll jump in with an attack and I think Ben Whittaker will time him with a lovely straight right hand, a lovely right hook and follow up from that and not let him off the hook, and I think he gets a stoppage."

He does not expect it to be as quick as some recent nights. "I don't think it's going to be a one round job or a two round job," Barry says. "But I do think he gets it done in five."

## What is at stake

This is a final eliminator in the IBF light heavyweight rankings, with Dmitry Bivol the man Whittaker wants next. Barry sees the win moving him right into that picture. "I do think that Ben Whittaker comes a step closer for challenging for the world title with a stoppage inside five rounds against the prospect and awkward Conor Wallace."

## Fight week details

Whittaker v Wallace headlines the Matchroom card at the Utilita Arena, Birmingham, on Saturday 3 October, live on DAZN. Ringwalks are expected shortly before 10pm. Whittaker is 12-0-1 and the bookmakers make him a 1/8 favourite, with Wallace 5/1.

## Barry's final word

"So I'm going to go Ben Whittaker," Barry says. "Anyway, good luck, hope you enjoy the fights and remember, bet responsibly."