Tyson Fury (29-0-1, 20 KOs) fought hard to maintain his unbeaten record after suffering a serious cut above his eye to knock out undefeated Otto Wallin (20-1, 13 KOs) in their heavyweight boxing fight Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
It was an aggressive punch in the third round that drew blood above the right eye and Fury showed greater urgency when officials began to worry, switching from patient boxing to planting his feet in a bid to land heavy, harsh shots.
“It was a great fight,” said Fury. “I got caught on the eye and that changed the fight. For the majority, I could not see out of the eye, then there was a clash of heads and I got cut again.
“It was a good 12 rounds, he was tough. It’s all heart and determination – if I can keep going I will do. He was 20-0 and didn’t know how to lose, but I was the better man.”
Wallin, the 28-year-old, 6-foot-5 tall and 236-pound Swede fighter entered the bout with a 20-0 record, with 13 knockouts after an amateur career where he was 34-12 and twice lost to Anthony Joshua, a future heavyweight champ.
“I did everything I could, I tried my best and Tyson is a great champion. Nobody can question my heart or question that I’m a good fighter.” Wallin said.
Fury was taken to the hospital immediately after the fight, with promoter Frank Warren confirming he was set to have micro-surgery on the cuts – one above the eye and one on the eye-lid.
The 31-year-old, the 6-foot-9 tall Fury from the United Kingdom is known as the lineal heavyweight champion after beating undisputed champion Wladimir Klitchko in 2015. After the grueling fight, Fury called out WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, whom he wants to challenge in a rematch with next year.
