Failed talks with Luis Ortiz lead Otto Wallin to a fight with Dillian Whyte
“Stay ready, so you do not have to get ready.” It is a phrase that fighters live by since you never know when that phone will ring with a big opportunity. Otto Wallin (22-1, 14ko) luckily has been living by this motto and has been rewarded with a fight against WBC Interim titlist Dillian “The Body Snatcher” Whyte (28-2, 19ko). The Swedish fighter believes a victory is a path to a rematch with WBC heavyweight champion Tyson “Gypsy King” Fury.
Wallin, dropping in as the next challenger to the Body Snatcher, took the boxing community by surprise. According to DAZN promoter Eddie Hearn, the front runner was supposedly three-time title challenger Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola.
There is a notion that team Whyte is looking to use the Swedish boxer as a means to get closer to the WBC heavyweight champion. However, Wallin has ideas of his own. Taking the fight could lead to a rematch with Fury and a title shot.
WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES, ANOTHER OPENS
During an interview with iFL TV, Wallin revealed his team was in deep negotiations with two-time heavyweight contender Luis Ortiz before the Whyte opportunity dropped.
“We were actually in deep talks with Luis Ortiz. At first, they told me that, ‘Ortiz asked to fight you, are you interested in fighting him?’ I said YEAH! We were negotiating. It felt like everything pretty much was in place, then it seemed like, for some reason, I do not think they wanted it.”
As fate would have it, he was offered a chance to fight the WBC Interim champion. Furthermore, he believes this is the right time to fight Whyte and, hopefully, a victory would come with a rematch with Fury.
“I mean, it is for the WBC Interim title, so I feel like I should be mandatory after that….I think I will be right in the mix. That is the way I have to go to get a rematch with Fury. I feel like I really got to earn it cause I don’t think he will give it for free again like he did the first time.”
In 2019, Wallin stopped the hearts of the boxing world by causing a cut over the right eye of Fury that almost stopped the fight. Moreover, if he was victorious, it would have ruined a planned rematch between then WBC champion Deontay Wilder and Fury.
One thing is for certain; fans can expect plenty of fireworks with the possibility of a world championship fight looming down the line. The fight is scheduled to take place live on DAZN from the O2 Arena on October 30.
By: Garrisson Bland
