Ben Whittaker’s trainer, Andy Lee, said the unbeaten light heavyweight had COVID the week before facing Conor Wallace. Whittaker offered a different explanation for his difficult finish in Birmingham on Saturday: the fight had been “too easy,” and he lost concentration.
Dan Rafael reported Lee’s disclosure after Whittaker’s points victory, adding that both sides were discussing a rematch. The illness claim provides context for Whittaker’s performance, although how much it affected him remains unclear.
Whittaker sounded eager to face Wallace again rather than leave the late rounds as the final impression of their IBF eliminator.
“I think we should do it again and I’ll beat him down even better,” Whittaker said afterward. “If I’m honest, it was too easy. I took my eye off the ball a little bit and he come up with a good shot. That’s boxing. But what did I do? I dug it out and I won.”
That explanation reflects how comfortably Whittaker controlled much of the contest, but it understates the danger Wallace created late. Whittaker was hurt and had to survive an opponent who kept pressing after spending the earlier rounds struggling to reach him.
Lee’s account and Whittaker’s explanation can both be true. An interrupted preparation could have left him below his best, while lapses in concentration gave Wallace opportunities. However, the reported illness cannot tell us which mistakes came from his physical condition and which came from his decisions.
Calling the fight easy also gives Whittaker something to prove in a return bout. Winning the early rounds comfortably is only part of the job. Maintaining distance, following instructions and avoiding unnecessary exchanges become more valuable when an opponent starts landing.
A rematch would give Wallace another opportunity after his strong finish and allow Whittaker to show whether he can sustain his early control over 12 rounds.
For a fighter pursuing a world title, that would be useful evidence. Whittaker proved he could survive trouble on Saturday. Facing Wallace again would test whether he can prevent it.