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Brisbane-based Irishman Conor Wallace believes he is well placed to become a boxing world champion in a division currently owned by superstar Artur Beterbiev.
Conor Wallace's Saudi exposure has fuelled belief he can usurp light heavyweight kings Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
The Brisbane-based Irishman (14-1) will end a highly productive year against South African Asemahle Wellem for the WBA Oceania title at Fortitude Music Hall on December 11.
It will be his fifth fight since last July, Wallace shooting to No.2, No.5 and No.6 in the IBF, WBO and WBC rankings respectively on the back of seven consecutive wins.
The 28-year-old joined Tasman Fighters stablemate Jai Opetaia on his latest Saudi Arabia jaunt, when he defended his cruiserweight world title on the undercard to Beterbiev and Bivol's undisputed title fight.
Beterbiev, 39, narrowly beat 33-year-old Bivol, and the IBF is expected to grant the pair a rematch next year.
That would push back Beterbiev's scheduled mandatory defence against Michael Eifert, the only man ahead of Wallace on the IBF standings.
Wallace, a regular sparring partner to Conor McGregor before his move to Australia, will build his resume confident he'll be ready when that pair have settled their score.
"It's all right for them to see my name in the rankings, but to put a face to a name ... it makes me hungry," Wallace said of his Riyadh jaunt.
"The whole event was unbelievable and that's where I want to be."
Wallace this week signed a co-promotional deal to join Opetaia, Justis Huni, Liam Paro and Skye Nicolson at Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing.
That partnership with the European promoter clears the path to a big-time title fight.
"We're not a million miles away," Wallace said.
"I'd fight anyone; them boys (Beterbiev and Bivol) aren't getting any younger either and I'm in my prime, getting better and better.
"I'm not one of those boxers who's just in it to have a fight. I want to win.
"And I've said it all along, the better the opponent, the better I am."
