Conor Wallace one step closer to world title
By Simon Smale ABC Australia
at the Fortitude Music Hall
Thu 12 Dec
Conor Wallace is another step closer to a world title shot after he claimed the WBA Oceania light heavyweight title in an at-times scrappy yet thoroughly entertaining contest at a packed Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane.
Wallace knocked down his game opponent, the previously unbeaten Asemahle Wellem twice, once in the fourth and then twice in the eighth, at which point the contest was stopped.
Whether it was an over-eagerness to impress a raucous capacity crowd in Brisbane, who had already enjoyed a thrilling night of entertainment on a packed card, or that the enthusiasm and gameness of his opponent that sucked Wallace into a brawl only he can know.
But the 28-year-old still managed to get the job done and move to 15-1 with another knockout victory.
"It wasn't a great performance," Wallace said after the fight.
"But I still got the win."
Already ranked second by the IBF and sixth in both the WBC and WBO standings, Wallace is surely now ever closer to a big-money fight against some of the division's biggest names.
Once Conor Wallace settled, his accuracy was no match for Asemahle Wellem's enthusiasm. (Tasman Fighters: James Paul)
Brisbane's Fortitude Music Hall is one of Australia's best boxing venues, offering supporters an intimacy to the violence within the squared circle that feels almost illicit.
It's Brisbane's answer to London's famous pugilistic temple, York Hall.
Intimate. Imposing. And, when packed with a couple of thousand Wallace supporters as it was on Wednesday night, absolutely rocking.
The chandeliers hanging from the roof point towards a grandeur that many will feel is at odds to this cruellest and most primal of sports, where dreams can be dashed far sooner than they are built up.
Wallace's numerous supporters sang, in jubilant mood even before the fighting took place, any sign of nerves from his family well hidden behind their smiling faces.
Even during the fight, when their distinctive Northern Irish accents rang out with their prescient nuggets of advice, there was no outward sign of disquiet, his supporters demanding to be heard, not least his father, Brian, who pleaded patience and for his son to box.
That was remarkable given how tensely the fight was developing.
Conor Wallace (left) acknowledged that he was not at his best. (Tasman Fighters: James Paul)
Wallace was hurled to the ground by Wellem in the first round, the bullish and occasionally wild-swinging South African just getting over-anxious in closing the gap.
That was the pattern of the first couple of rounds, both men over-eager to land, making for a slightly messy contest.
By the third, both had settled though, the capacity crowd singing and chanting their support as Wallace landed some shots, took others, and smiled at his opponents in an exaggerated display of showmanship.
That theatricality is part of what makes Wallace so appealing as a fighter.
Whether it is an exaggerated step to get back in range, a smirk towards his supporters or sticking out his tongue, Wallace has that entertainer spirit that the best must have to ensure they stand out from the crowd.
But was there a degree of complacency?
In the fourth Wallace, chin up and oblivious to his opponent's power, was clearly rocked, a ripple of stunned awe rolling through the tightly packed and engrossed crowd like a wave, apprehension lingering that this unbeaten fighter might end their hero's hopes.
By the end of the round though, Wellem had taken a knee after a monstrous body shot into the ribs that saw him barely beat the count.
Conor Wallace was punishing to the body for Asemahle Wellem. (Tasman Fighters: James Paul)
Such is the rollercoaster of top level boxing, a momentary lapse bringing potentially devastating consequences.
Despite awkwardly perching on his stool for the vanishingly short 60-second break between rounds, his ribs no doubt throbbing in pain, Wellem bravely continued.
The fifth was just as intense. A low blow warning for Wallace. A point off for punching after the break for Wellem.
Wallace continued to hunt the knockout — to his detriment it should be said — while Wellem bravely bit down on his gumshield and continued.
The cockiness with which Wellem had entered the ring had gone, but the danger he posed remained, Wallace continuing to wear shots that he shouldn't if he wanted to win this fight. Shots he can't take more of if he wants a longer future in this most brutal of games.
But by the sixth and seventh rounds, Wallace too had wiped the smirk off his own face and had consigned himself to a night of hard work.
Conor Wallace stands at an imposing 193cm tall. (Tasman Fighters: James Paul)
By the middle of the eighth, it was over.
Two brutal shots, the first on the crown of Wellem's head that send him tumbling onto his back.
The follow up, seconds after the South African beat the count, sent him down again.
"That was a bad performance," Wallace said.
"But I still got the win.
"I think I boxed for one round and that was the eighth round and I knocked him out.
"I love to punch on, I love to entertain the crowd.
"I'll keep doing what I'm doing. I'll go back to the drawing board and keep going."
Conor Wallace was exuberant after knocking out Asemahle Wellem in the eighth round. (Tasman Fighters: James Paul)
Once Conor Wallace settled, his accuracy was no match for Asemahle Wellem's enthusiasm. (Tasman Fighters: James Paul)
Conor Wallace (left) acknowledged that he was not at his best. (Tasman Fighters: James Paul)
Conor Wallace was punishing to the body for Asemahle Wellem. (Tasman Fighters: James Paul)
Conor Wallace stands at an imposing 193cm tall. (Tasman Fighters: James Paul)