Whittaker wins title eliminator to maneuver up at mild heavyweight

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Whittaker wins title eliminator to maneuver up at mild heavyweight

Ben Whittaker passed the biggest test of his career with a unanimous decision win over Conor Wallace in a light heavyweight title eliminator Saturday in Birmingham, England. Whittaker won by scores of 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113.

Whittaker used his awkward fighting style and head movement to create openings, while keeping Wallace at a distance through the first nine rounds.

Wallace took over in the Round 10, hurting Whittaker with four consecutive right hands. Wallace continued to pressure Whittaker in the last two rounds, forcing him onto the back foot and making him grab on multiple occasions.

Whittaker, who went 12 rounds for the first time in his professional career, finished the fight in survival mode, but his performance was good enough to move him up one spot in the 175-pound division.

ESPN’s divisional boxing rankings highlight the best in the sport in every weight class. Rankings will change based on recent results and performances. Fighters who have announced they are moving to a different weight class will be ranked in that new division, if warranted, only once they fight in that weight class. Fighters who currently own titles in two divisions can be ranked in both.

Fighters who haven’t competed in the past 12 months — and don’t have a fight scheduled — will be dropped from the rankings until they fight again. Any fighter who tests positive for a performance-enhancing substance will also be removed. That boxer will be eligible to reenter the rankings after his next bout.

For a list of the current champions in all weight classes, click here. For ESPN women’s divisional rankings, click here.

Jump to this week’s changes:Light heavyweight