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Exclusive interview: Otto Wallin talks new opponent, IBF-title and getting back to the top
Otto Wallin. Photo via Instagram (@ottowallin)
Swedish heavyweight king Otto Wallin (26-2, 14 KOs) will be back in action on July 26.
He will take on Nigerian heavyweight Onoriode Ehwarieme (20-4, 19 KOs) at the Tropicana Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City.
The fight will be Wallin’s first since losing to Anthony Joshua in December and getting a win is important to re-establish himself as a top contender for a world title.
”I took a step back when I lost to Joshua,” Wallin tells Frontkick in an exclusive interview. ”However, things can change very quickly in boxing. If I get a good win in my next fight, and win an even bigger fight this autumn, then I will be back on track. I think there will be more chances.”
But first things first. With a 95% knockout rate, the 36-year-old Ehwarieme is not an opponent that the Swede will take lightly.
”He’s pretty tall, like two meters. What I’ve seen is that he’s a pretty wild boxer. He swings a whole lot. I have to fight smart against him. To use what I’m good at and be sharp throughout the fight so I don’t run into a big shot.”
Photo via Instagram (@ottowallin)
Otto Wallin wants three fights in 2024
About a week ago, the undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk vacated the IBF heavyweight title, which significantly opens up the division.
Former world champ Joshua will face Daniel Dubois in September at Wembley Stadium, and the vacant IBF strap might very well be on the line.
What does Usyk vacating the belt mean to you?
”For a fighter in my position it’s good that there’s not one champion that holds all the belts,” Wallin says. ”Even though it’s fun for the sport to have an undisputed champion, it’s better for me when the titles are spread out because it’s easier to get a title fight. I’m not thinking too much about it though. I’m just looking to get back on track after the loss to Joshua, win my next fight and take it step by step.”
”I absolutely want to fight more than once in 2024. At least one more this fall, maybe even two fights. Two to three fights in 2024 would be awesome to work my way back up the rankings again.”
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