Otto Wallin: "We had two wars in the amateurs – I would be the best option"
Former Tyson Fury opponent Otto Wallin (23-1, 14KOs) tells Vegas Insider blog that he wants to fight Anthony Joshua while his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk gets put on hold.
The 31-year-old Swede listed his reasons, "I think the timing is good for me. I agree that Joshua seems a bit lost. I've been improving my whole career, I understand the game better now and I’m one of the top heavyweights in the world. Usyk should be given all the time he needs – he is showing bravery and honour."
The conflict in Ukraine has thwarted any chance of a potential May date for the Usyk-Joshua rematch. In light of this, heavyweights are lining up for the chance to face AJ, with former foe Joseph Parker and domestic rival Joe Joyce already reaching out to the two-time heavyweight champion's management team.
Following his UK debut last month, which resulted in a points win against gatekeeper Kamil Sokolowski, Wallin has come out with his intention to challenge Joshua, stating, "I strongly believe I would be the best option, simply because I think that Joshua would want an opponent to help him prepare for Usyk. I’m a southpaw and I fight somewhat similar to Usyk. That’s not easy to come by.
"If I was Joshua I would look at who’s similar to Usyk. I would say Parker is more like Usyk than Joyce but he’s not a southpaw and Joshua already beat him. Luis Ortiz doesn’t fight like Usyk, he’s been knocked out twice by Wilder and he was dropped by Charles Martin."
Wallin was relatively unknown outside of his native country until he was handed an opportunity of a lifetime against Tyson Fury in Las Vegas where he rose to the occasion and took the fight to 'The Gypsy King' causing a cut from a punch in round three that very nearly stopped the fight, which would have handed him the win. It was a cruching left hook the right eye of Fury that split his skin wide open, requiring 47 stitches after the bout.
"I have proven myself to be a very worthy opponent at the highest level," he continued. "I gave Tyson Fury his hardest fight and sent him to the hospital to get 47 stitches on his eye."
Not only has Wallin fought Fury before, but he has also met Joshua in the ring twice. As amateurs, they first clashed in the Haringey Box Cup in June 2010, which the Londoner won widely on points over three rounds, then they met again just seven months later in Sweden where AJ inflicted another unanimous decision defeat.
"I honestly believe it would be a war. We had two wars in the amateurs where he got the decisions in both fights that could’ve gone either way. We also sparred 150+ rounds before he fought Charles Martin and even though it was sparring, nobody wanted to give an inch.
"I would love to do it in Sweden or my second home New York but I’m guessing I’ll be going to his backyard and that’s fine.
"My message to Eddie and AJ is simple. If Joshua wants a real fight against the most worthy and stylistically best opponent, it’s me.
"Me and my team would of course spend a lot of time studying Joshua even though I know him well already. We’re already on a good path in my training so we won’t have to change too much. We’ll make sure we have the right sparring partners and the best game plan.
"I think the timing is good for me. I agree that Joshua seems a bit lost and even in interviews he doesn’t look like himself like how I used to see him. Maybe it’s good or maybe it’s bad. Time will tell.
Since tasting defeat for the one and only time, Wallin has put together three wins on the spin.
"I’ve improved all the way around. I gained very valuable experience when I went 12 rounds with Fury and it has made me a lot better. I understand the game better now and I’m one of the top heavyweights in the world.
"I’ve been improving my whole career and I’ve already shown what I can do. I have a great team around me and I have a lot of belief in my ability. I’m full of excitement and I just can’t wait to show everybody my full potential. I’m going to become Sweden’s first heavyweight world champion since Ingemar Johansson in 1959 and to beat Joshua would propel me into a title fight in the near future.
"Matchroom and Eddie Hearn don't owe me anything. I’m deserving of this fight and I’m the best option so that should be enough."
The respectful fighter then paid tribute to the unified world heavyweight champion, "I absolutely think Usyk should be giving all the time that he needs. He’s showing bravery and honor in fighting for his country and standing up for his people. If the invasion of Ukraine drags on for years it might have to be a resolution and a deal made with Usyk but that should be the last thing he should have to think about right now."
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