Whittaker Gets the W, and a Lot of Homework, After Wallace Scare

Ben Whittaker got the win. He also got a lot of questions he didn't have before.

Whittaker beat Conor Wallace by unanimous decision at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham on Saturday, Oct. 3. The scores were 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113. It was a final eliminator for the IBF light heavyweight title, and Whittaker's WBC Silver belt was also on the line. On paper, it was a clean night. It didn't look like one at the end.

For nine rounds, it was the Whittaker show. He boxed, he showboated, and he built what looked like an unbeatable lead against a more experienced opponent. Then the tank started to empty.

From boxbid.ioWalk Fight CityMake your own boxer, train in the gym and watch fights with fans. Go

Wallace rocked him in the 10th. In the 12th, he had Whittaker reeling, holding, and stumbling to the canvas three times. The referee didn't score any of them as knockdowns. Whittaker held on until the bell, and that's the part people are still arguing about more than a week later. Change one of those calls and the cards get a lot closer. Give Wallace another round and you might have a different headline.

Whittaker, 29, is now 13-0-1 and the IBF mandatory challenger. That belt belongs to Dmitry Bivol, who also holds the WBA "super" and WBO titles and is set to face Callum Smith in December. Wallace, 30, took the second loss of his 19-fight career and asked for a rematch on the spot.

Whittaker didn't sound worried. "If he wants to run it back and get a beat down again he can. If not, we'll move on," he said. Promoter Eddie Hearn is open to it. He pointed out that the Bivol-Smith winner probably won't be available until next summer, so Whittaker needs a fight in the meantime.

Here's my take: the talent is real. The first nine rounds showed you why people have been excited about this kid since Tokyo. But Bivol doesn't fade, and he doesn't give you three free minutes to recover. If Whittaker's gas tank looks like this against Wallace, a rematch is good business and better homework.

Paulie Malignaggi has been asking the same questions. Read Malignaggi on Whittaker's gifts and mindset, and see where his title path runs in Bivol-Smith Is Finally On.

From boxbid.ioGuess the PurseHow much did they get paid? The closest guess wins free points. Guess

Do you think the referee got the 12th round right? Our community pages are open, so start a thread and make your case.

Sources: Boxing Content, BBC Sport, Sky Sports, ESPN