Conor Wallace floors Asemahle Wellem to close on world title bout

Conor Wallace is nearing a major fight in 2025 after taking the unbeaten record of South Africa's Asemahle Wellem by TKO to land the WBA Oceania light-heavyweight title in Brisbane this morning.

The Newry-born fighter came out on top in an eventful fight that saw Wallace hurt in the fourth round before dropping Wellem moments later with a thundering body shot.

The first three rounds were close but Wellem was deducted a point in the fifth for punching to the back of Wallace's head, which further hindered his chances.

Wellem remained competitive but was floored twice again in the eighth round, with a straight left-hand dropping an exhausted Wellem to the canvas and he couldn't continue.

Artur Beterbiev is the current undisputed champion in the division with the 39-year-old set to face Dmitry Bivol in a rematch of their megafight next February in Saudi Arabia.

It is likely the belts will become fractured following that second clash, potentially giving Wallace the chance to fight for a vacant belt given his high ranking with the IBF, WBC and WBO, and he will now enter the WBA top 15 after this success.

The 28-year-old is currently the IBF number two, meaning he could be handed a world title next year, even on an interim basis.

Wallace was a six-time Irish amateur champion before turning professional in September 2018. He has boxed in Australia since that time and signed with Matchroom Boxing earlier this year.