Conor Wallace looks to continue the momentum against Jerome Pampellone on Aug. 28

Light heavyweight contender Conor Wallace (13-1, 10 KOs) knows there are no easy marks at this level.

That's why he didn't hesitate when he was given the opportunity to fight Jerome Pampellone (18-1, 11 KOs) on the undercard of the Nikita Tszyu-Koen Mazoudier fight at the ICC Sydney Theater in Sydney, Australia, on August 28. . The No Limit show will stream domestically on Foxtel and Kayo via their pay-view arm, Main Event, for $69.95.

With Wallace ranked sixth by the IBF and Pampellone sitting at number eight, the winner will fill the second spot on the New Jersey-based bantamweight organization's list behind their number one fighter Michael Eifert (12-1, 4). KOs) of Germany.

There's a lot on the line for both 28-year-olds.

“Jerome is a great operator,” Wallace told The Ring. “Probably my toughest fight on paper. He's a strong competitor and he's met some good guys, but I feel like where I'm at in my career, I feel like if I didn't think I could beat him, I wouldn't be fighting.

“My team totally believes in me and I totally believe in myself. I know what I can do, and I know what I can do. I believe that if I show up and put myself at my level on the day, I won't have any problems.”

The versatile southpaw from Newry in Northern Ireland has made a name for himself in Australia since moving to Brisbane's Fortitude Valley to turn professional six years ago.

The seven-fight winning streak was interrupted by the heavily beaten and experienced Leti Leti, who beat him via a 10-round majority decision in 2021. Wallace got his revenge the next year, drafting Leti in the sixth round out of 10 draft picks. what can only be described as a slugfest.

Wallace defeated Matt Sheehan and Mose Auimatagi Jr at mid-range in his next two fights before being paired with Jack Gipp, a talented novice who was making waves in the pros.

Boxing in front of a rapturous crowd at Brisbane's Fortitude Music Hall on St Patrick's Day, Wallace fended off a determined Victorian attack in the opening rounds to stop him in the sixth. Gipp was knocked back by a flurry of shots from Wallace before he was dropped again, this time with a right hand, forcing referee Paul Tapley to step in and stop the contest.

Conor Wallace

It was one of the best fights on the beach this year.

“It was a good fight considering the day it happened, which is St Patrick's Day on DAZN,” said Wallace. “I was supposed to do it last year, but I injured my hand which set us back. But it was brilliant; we knew Jack was a good competitor with a good novice pedigree, even if he was only 7-0 in the first round.

“We knew he would be a good test. It was a 10 round fight, and he started very fast. But it's a marathon, not a sprint, so I didn't panic and got ahead of him.”

While Wallace enters the Pampellone tournament on a high, his opponent is coming off a low. The highly regarded Pampellone, who was born in London but raised in New Zealand from the age of 10, lost badly last time out to Malik Zinad by majority decision in heat 12 in April. Libya's Zinad knocked out WBA heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol in Saudi Arabia in June, a fight he lost in the sixth round.

Boxing out of the Peach Boxing gym under the watchful eye of coach Isaac Peach, there is no doubt that Pampellone will make a statement.

And that's the way Wallace wants it.

“I want him to come hungry, I want him to be the best,” he said. “That way, I can say I beat him right, you know what I mean?” I'm at a level now where all battles will be difficult. He is ranked in the top 10 in the world as well. Better opponents bring out the best in me, I believe.”

The camp for this fight started in Thailand, a popular destination for Australian fighters looking to improve their condition in the tropical humidity before getting down to the real business of hard sparring.

“I feel really good. I've been working hard, had a good training camp in Thailand and we've been finishing here. “I really got a call, and I'm looking forward to it,” Wallace said.

“I like to do my pre-camp in Thailand, it is very good for conditioning, changing the environment, changing the environment. Tim Tszyu was there when we were there. Just running to the Big Buddha, it helps me a lot mentally as well.”

Wallace has been a mainstay on DAZN's local cards, but he's not afraid to cross the street to fight on another arena. He is still promoted by Tasman Fighters, who have a broadcast deal with DAZN, but the Pampellone fight represents too good an opportunity to pass up.

“I feel like I've sacrificed a lot just to get where I am,” Wallace said. “My whole life I have dedicated myself to this game, so I feel happy that there are good results and I am getting these opportunities now. I don't respect this one, but that's where I want to be. I want to be under the bright lights on the big stage. That really motivates me in the morning and brings me home at night.”

Wallace has a comfortable home at Fortitude Boxing Club, where he is trained by Greg Eadie and does strength and conditioning work with Phil Leaga. Steve Deller, who considered him an amateur, is still his manager.

The team has long been waiting for this battle against Pampellone and is confident that they can exploit the weaknesses of his game.

“We watched Jerome a lot,” said Wallace. “We have a good game plan that I'm looking forward to doing tonight. I won't give much, obviously, but we know what we have to do.

“We have been with our partners in the camp for a long time working on this, not just a few weeks, so we know exactly what we have to do. This fight has been going on for a while, so I'm looking forward to going in and showing what I can do on the big stage.”