WBC #13 heavyweight Otto Wallin says he’s happy to be getting back in the ring this Saturday night at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Wales. Wallin (22-1, 14 KOs) will take on Kamil Sokolowski (11-24-2, 4 KOs) on the untelevised undercard of the $29.99 PPV event featuring the Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Liam Williams 12-round middleweight showdown and female superstar Claressa Shields defending her WBC/WBA/IBF middleweight world titles against unbeaten top-rated challenger Ema Kozin.
“It feels good to be back in the ring,” admitted Wallin. “I haven’t been able to fight in almost a year, so I’m just excited to be fighting again. This will be a smaller fight for me to shake some ring rust and I’ll be able to step it up again very soon. My opponent doesn’t have the best record, but he’s a tough customer and nobody I can underestimate. I need to go out and handle my business to keep being considered one of the best heavyweights in the world.”
The 31-year-old Wallin was last seen winning a wide unanimous decision over respected fellow contender Dominic Breazeale in February 2021. A proposed fight against current WBC interim titlist Dillian Whyte fell through late last year when Whyte withdrew, claiming an injury.
In 2019, Wallin famously inflicted a cut on Tyson Fury that required 47 stitches and nearly led to a TKO victory.
“I feel like since I fought Tyson Fury, I’ve only gotten better,” added Wallin. “I’ve had two more years of training and I gained very valuable experience in that fight. I’m ready to show everybody that when I get my next big shot at the title I’ll be more than ready to bring it home.”
I like Otto. Shake off the ringrust in this one then go after a bigger fight. Wallin – Michael Hunter???
That be a good fight, I think Wallin takes that.
Yeah, I think I’d take Wallin as well. Hunter looked bad last time out
Wallin should be fighting better opposition. No wonder his fight is not on TV.
Can’t believe this fight ain’t on TV? Hopefully they air it for free on YouTube or something. Wallins opponent is a lot better than what people think. He’s tough and can punch a bit. Wallin should outbox him comfortably but if he decides to mix it up could be an interesting fight
I don’t mind him having a warm up and it’s good to see that has been acknowledged by not televising it like some of the mismatches we see on main cards
Kamil is a hell of a lot better than his record suggests. Don’t be surprised if he springs an upset.
Cudnt agree more don’t comment unless you have actually watched his fights.
When you have been in with a high caliber fighter it makes you a better fighter over night because win or lose you walk away knowing, in a big time fight environment, not sparring, what it like and what it’s not like. You can only get better.
Otto showed us some skill. We know he can fight.
somebody with a name, step up and fight Wallin
When I saw him fight Fury it seemed his lack of experience was a bigger factor than a lack of skill. Fury knew how to turn it up at that level. Wallin will have improved from going through that.
This isn’t a good fight but I wish more fighters would stay active off tv rather than sit out waiting for a bigger opportunity.
Sokolowski is reasonably well respected in the UK, and rarely gets stopped. He stopped Nick Webb, went the distance against Nathan Gorman, Lucas Browne, Kash Ali, David Price and Ali Demirezen. I realise this isn’t a mark of greatness, but he may be able to give Wallin the rounds he needs.
Would love to see him fight Andy Ruiz!
After watching him using his glove to try to pry furys cut open , I lost all respect for him. He should be banned from the sport. What a loser to have to go that low. Zero skills .
Dominic Breazeale is respected????
I think it’s more like “liked”. He does always seem like a really nice guy.