The winner would become the mandatory challenger for unified IBF, WBA and Ring light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol.

Wallace is ranked No. 2 by the IBF and brings a 17-1 (13 KOs) record into the bout, while Whittaker sits at No. 3.

Since winning silver at the Tokyo Olympics, the unbeaten 29-year-old Whittaker has become one of British boxing’s most heavily scrutinized figures. He has won four straight by stoppage, extending that streak in June with a second-round knockout of Richard Rivera to retain his WBC Silver light heavyweight title. Before that, he scored early knockout victories over Braian Nahuel Suarez and Benjamin Gavazi, along with a second-round technical knockout of Liam Cameron in their April 2025 rematch in Birmingham.

A victory over Wallace would move Whittaker within one fight of a world title opportunity against Bivol, who remains the division’s unified champion. The bout has not been officially announced.

Wallace would represent the toughest opponent of Whittaker’s career. A victory would strengthen his case as a legitimate world-title contender and secure his place as Bivol’s mandatory challenger.

Ben Whittaker is reportedly in advanced negotiations to fight Conor Wallace in an IBF light heavyweight title final eliminator on October 3rd in Birmingham, England. pic.twitter.com/BdwOUazpmE

— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) July 14, 2026

James Dean Fury has become the latest member of his fighting family to put pen to paper, signing a long-term promotional deal with Ben Shalom’s Boxxer.

The 20-year-old is a three-time national amateur champion and 2025 Box Cup winner, now looking to make a seismic splash in the professional code.

Trained by uncle Peter Fury, the talented super-middleweight prospect makes his pro debut next month, featuring on the undercard of Troy Williamson vs Callum Simpson 2.

This event, which takes place at Leeds’ First Direct Arena on August 8, will also mark Boxxer’s first show on DAZN.

In typical Fury fashion, James Dean comes with no shortage of confidence as he expects to not only become a world champion, but also take the 168lb division by storm.

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity. I’d like to thank my uncle Peter, Boxxer, Ben Shalom and [manager] Mick Hennessy for making this possible.

“My goal is to go all the way. I want to win world titles and become the best fighter I can be. I train hard, I’m dedicated and I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to reach the top.

“I’m excited to start this journey in Leeds on August 8 and put on a good performance for the fans. The super-middleweight division is full of great fighters, but I believe the best version of me is going to wipe everyone out.”

As the cousin of two-time heavyweight champion Tyson, there will surely be a measure of pressure as the young Fury makes his debut in August.

Thankfully, though, his promising career is being guided by esteemed coach Peter, who comes off a remarkable performance in the corner of Rico Verhoeven in May.

In fact, the former kickboxing champion came tantalisingly close to pulling off a major upset against Oleksandr Usykwho ultimately scored an 11th-round stoppage victory.

Moses It will hurt has revealed Frank Warren’s plan to secure him an undisputed clash with one of the division’s most formidable punchers.

It is no secret that Itauma is being steered towards mainstream stardom, clearly representing a vital component of Warren’s Queensberry Promotions stable.

This does not mean, however, that the prodigious talent will forever be matched against inferior opposition, so as to protect his unbeaten record and marketability.

Rather, it would seem that the 21-year-old is already being let off the leash, hence why he is facing Filip Hrgovic at London’s O2 Arena on August 29.

Having only lost to reigning WBO world champion Daniel Duboisthere is no denying that Hrgovic is Itauma’s toughest opponent thus far.

Even in the Dubois defeat, the Croatian had arguably built a slight lead before getting stopped on cuts in round eight of their June 2024 encounter.

Itauma, meanwhile, is yet to compete at such a level, with his best win coming via a fifth-round finish over fringe contender Jermaine Franklin in March.

But still, many believe the hard-hitting southpaw will go on to become a long-reigning champion, with Dubois potentially representing his closest rival.

Speaking with IFL TVItauma admitted that he expects the Dubois fight to materialise soon enough, especially if the pieces all fall into place for promoter Warren.

“I think the Dubois fight will definitely happen at some point this year, next year or the year after.

“Only because it’s two Brits. He doesn’t seem like he’s slowing down; I seem like I’m speeding up.

“If that [fight] is going to happen, it’ll be after I’ve got a belt [and] he’s got a belt, or I might have two and he might have two.

“I think [Warren’s] going to try and get me and Dubois to collect all the belts and then unify [against] each other. If that’s the plan, I’m happy to roll with that.”

While Itauma has his hands full against Hrgovic, Dubois is expected to rematch Fabio Wardley after scoring an 11th-round stoppage over his rival in May.