Otto Wallin opens up on the tough years and getting a career-changing fight: “This is on another level”

Otto Wallin. Photo via Instagram (@ottowallin)

Years and years of hard work and dedication has finally paid off for Swedish heavyweight boxer Otto Wallin.

After spending a long time just outside the top of the heavyweight world, the Swede is finally set for his biggest fight to date. On December 23 Wallin headlines one of the most impressive boxing cards in recent memory, as he takes on two-time former unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia.

“This is a fight I’ve been working towards my whole career,” Wallin tells Frontkick in an exclusive interview.

“Yeah, it actually feels like the biggest so far. The Tyson Fury fight was huge of course, but this is on another level. I’m more well-known now, and I think I deserve this fight more. The bout against Fury came from nowhere, well not nowhere really, I had 20 wins, but I still feel I deserve this fight even more.”

Besides Wallin and Joshua, the spectacular December boxing card features massive names like Deontay Wilder, Joseph Parker and Dmitry Bivol.

Even more amazing is that the card was put together on short notice, something very unusual in the world of boxing.

“At the press conference in London, me, Wilder, Joshua and Parker sat in the top row. Bivol, who defeated a superstar like Canelo, sat under us on the undercard. It’s crazy what a big card this is,” Wallin chuckles. “It’s an event you’ve never seen before. It’s amazing they put it together on such short notice.”

“I don’t know if I’m mentally strong or just stupid”

After almost defeating Tyson Fury in 2019, Otto Wallin rightfully expected more big things to come his way.

But it would turn out that the Swede had to wait for two and a half years without a real fight, which of course is tough both financially and mentally for a professional boxer, especially during what could be considered some of his prime years.

“I don’t know if I’m mentally strong or just stupid,” Wallin laughs. “If you are going to get good at something you have to work hard. But it was tough to keep motivated sometimes. It’s not fun to train every day with no fight in sight. But I’ve stayed disciplined and trained every day. I’ve tried to tell myself that I will be ready to take the chance when it comes.”

And when the chance presented itself in Anthony Joshua, the Swede didn’t hesitate for a second. Fresh of a win against the tough Murat Gassiev in September, Wallin was pretty much unscathed and ready to get back in the ring on rather short notice.

Photo via Instagram (@ottowallin)

Otto Wallin faced Anthony Joshua twice

Interestingly enough, Wallin and Joshua fought twice before, as amateurs in the dawn of two fantastic careers. Now, more than a decade later they will clash at the highest professional level.

“He’s still one of the best heavyweights in the world but hasn’t been himself lately. I think he’s insecure of himself and his style as a boxer,” Wallin says. “He’s got to find it inside of him again.”

Joshua parted ways with long-time trainer Rob McCracken after his first defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021, and after losing the rematch 11 months later, the British fighter ended the partnership with his new coach Robert Garcia.

Ahead of December 23, the British heavyweight changed coach once again, to Ben Davison, who trained the likes of Tyson Fury and Billy Joe Saunders.

“I think his many changes benefit me to be honest. I’ve had my coaches for ten years and with time you build a strong connection and trust,” Wallin says. “I’m just going to go in there and box, he’s probably a big favorite but I’ve got nothing to lose.”

Want to be “The Mauler” of Swedish boxing

One fight which he had a lot to lose in, however, was his last outing against the dangerous Murat Gassiev for the WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title. A tough challenge both on paper and in the ring, as it was Gassiev’s promoter who put on the event in Turkey.

“It was a big risk taking that fight,” Wallin said. “In my book I won every round, so I was definitely surprised that it turned out to be a split decision. If I’d lost I would never have gotten the Joshua fight.”

After the win against Gassiev, he snatched a No. 2 spot on the IBF rankings, which definitely was one of the reasons Joshua accepted the fight against the tough Swedish southpaw.

“The spot at the IBF ranking is something that he wants to lay his hands on, so he can fight for the IBF title,” Wallin claims. “But if I win I will probably put myself in a good position to fight for any belt.”

What’s absolutely sure is that a victory will cement his position as one of the frontrunners for Swedish boxing. A role Wallin would gladly take on.

“I think Swedish boxing needs someone who stands out and draws the media’s attention. Like Alexander Gustafsson did for Swedish MMA.”

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