Brisbane-based Irishman Conor Wallace lucky to avoid major injury after smashing into glass panel ahead of his world-title eliminator

He is a co-main feature on the Nikita Tszyu-Koen Mazoudier fight card on Wednesday night. But Conor Wallace is lucky to be fighting after a ring malfunction nearly caused a catastrophic injury.

Brisbane-based Irishman Conor Wallace has suffered a scare in the lead-up to the biggest fight of his career after his arm smashed through a window following the shock collapse of a boxing ring.

The luck of the Irish has smiled upon Wallace, who revealed he was fortunate to avoid severing a tendon after being hurled into a window following a ring malfunction during sparring in Brisbane.

Wallace will be the co-main event on the Nikita Tszyu-Koen Mazoudier pay-per-view card when he takes on Jerome Pampellone in a light-heavyweight blockbuster at Sydney’s ICC Theatre on Wednesday night.

Wallace (13-1, 10KO) and Kiwi powerhouse Pampellone (18-1, 11KO) will slug it out in a world-title eliminator that will put the victor on track for a shot at division big guns Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

Conor Wallace (right) is Australia’s No. 1 light heavyweight and one win from a world-title shot. Picture: Peter Wallis/Getty Images

But Wallace could easily have been sidelined. A fortnight ago in sparring, Wallace was left stunned after the ring ropes broke and the southpaw went flying, his arm crashing through a glass panel as he tried to break his fall.

Underlining his determination to pummel Pampellone, Wallace refused to cancel sparring and continued training with cuts on his arm.

“It was a bloody shock. The ring collapsed and Conor went through the window,” said his manager Steve Deller.

“Conor stepped backwards and the ropes just gave way. He went through the window and smashed it elbow first.

“He could have severed a tendon on his arm. We’re a bit more than lucky, mate, we were s****ing ourselves.

“He got up and had a few small cuts. It was a shock, but Conor said let’s keep going and he went to the next ring and boxed on.

“That sums him up. Conor is tough as nails and he’s hungry to win this fight and put himself in contention for a world title.”

Wallace was a former sparring partner for UFC star Conor McGregor. Picture: Supplied

The 28-year-old southpaw is Australia’s No. 1 light heavyweight and says nothing will stop him in his quest to bury Pampellone on his way to a world-title shot.

“The ring snapped and I hit the glass, but it didn’t faze me,” he said.

“It could have been a lot worse, but I didn’t need any stitches and I’m sweet now.

“I’m so close to a world-title shot now, I’ve been dreaming of this moment since I was a little boy.

“He (Pampellone) is a dangerous puncher but it will be a different story when he feels my power as well.

“I’ve got a higher knockout ratio than him and if you’ve watched any of my fights, when I’ve got someone hurt I don’t f***ing let them off the hook.

“He’s in for the biggest test of his life on Wednesday night, I can tell you that.”

Originally published as Brisbane-based Irishman Conor Wallace lucky to avoid major injury after smashing into glass panel ahead of his world-title eliminator