Fury opponent Wallin makes case as legit contender
British heavyweight Contender Tyson Fury is expected to easily defeat unbeaten, but virtually untested, Swede Otto Wallin next month in Las Vegas. However, Wallin wants to make it clear that he’s deserving of the opportunity and is coming to fight.
In an interview with Luke Reddy of BBC Sport published on Monday, the 28 year old Wallin says he’s blocking out the critics, including former unified heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua
"I am on this level"
Tyson Fury's next opponent Otto Wallin says he isn't bothered by comments criticising his ability before their Las Vegas fight
? https://t.co/9MeSCkmURK pic.twitter.com/liErxUdHys— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 26, 2019
Joshua, who has used Wallin as a sparring partner previously, recently referred to him as “a lower-tier heavyweight.”
Wallin (20-0, 13 KOs, 1 NC) was asked about that by the BBC and said,
“I don’t care too much. He probably means I haven’t been at that elite level.”
Wallin added: “I haven’t been at the elite level in fights but I have sparred big names and know I am at their level – Anthony Joshua, Kubrat Pulev, Adam Kownacki, Jarrell Miller, all different guys, and I know I am on this level.
“I am not worried about that, it’s just that people haven’t seen. Anthony knows I am a good fighter. Yes, it helps a little with motivation. I have no pressure at all – I can only go in there and do my best.”
Fury (28-0-1) is a 25 to 1 favorite, currently and most believe it’s only a matter of how quickly, not if, he knocks out Wallin. Fury already fought in Vegas this summer, however, as we wrote about previously, Wallin expects that he will be much more of a test then Germany’s Tom Schwarz was for Fury in June.
Wallin said earlier this month,
“I felt that Schwarz, he could’ve had a better game plan,” Wallin said in an interview with BoxingScene.com. “And I felt that he kind of gave up in the second round. I know that he was hit with some good shots, but it looked to me like he kind of gave up after missing a few punches and all that.”
Schwarz did not make it to the second round bell, but Wallin, with many doubting him, thinks he will be able to do better than that come September 14th.
A veteran broadcaster of over 25 years, T.J. has been a fight fan longer than that! He’s the host of the “Big Fight Weekend” podcast and will go “toe to toe” with anyone who thinks that Marvin Hagler beat Sugar Ray Leonard or that Tyson, Lennox Lewis or Deontay Wilder could have beaten Ali!
