Tyson Fury overcame and awful cut to his right eye to beat Otto Wallin on points and remain the undefeated lineal heavyweight world champion.
Fury, who has this week rebranded himself El Rey de los Gitanos (Spanish for his usual moniker King of the Gypsies), took the fight against the relative unknown from Sweden at the T-Mobile Arena as stop-gap before a much-anticipated rematch with WBC champion Deontay Wilder in February following their controversial draw last year.
The 31-year-old Mancunian was overwhelming 1/25 favourite to make it 29 victories out of 30 bouts – and the fourth of his astonishing comeback to the sport just 15 months ago – embraced the Mexican theme once more during his ringwalk wearing a sombrero and poncho.
He arrived into the T-Mobile Arena, almost full to its 20,000 capacity, on a wheeled platform accompanied by a mariachi band, stilt walkers waving red, white and green flags.
But the mood was soon about to change.
Sporting Life ✔ @SportingLife 🥊 Tyson Fury overcomes an awful early cut to the right eye and a valiant challenge from the unknown Otto Wallin to win on points.
👨⚖️ Judges scorecards: 116-112 117-111 118-110
👑🇲🇽 El Rey de los Gitanos remains unbeaten and the lineal heavyweight champion!#FuryWallin
View image on Twitter 11 1:10 PM – Sep 15, 2019 Twitter Ads info and privacy See Sporting Life’s other Tweets Fury spent the first round assessing what exactly was in front of him, having admitted pre-fight he knew little about the unbeaten Wallin, and his superior height and reach allowed him to stay out of trouble.
In the second round Fury missed with one big right and that allowed his opponent to back him into a corner but, after failing to land a blow, the former world heavyweight champion got out of danger.
The Mancunian came out looking to be more aggressive but ended the third round with a cut above his right eye, although it was initially unclear how it was sustained.
Blood running into his eye from a wide gash caused Fury a major problem, with the 31-year-old frequently having to wipe it clear and that allowed Wallin to land at least one punch in the fourth.
“No panic, no stress,” was the advice from trainer Ben Davison before the fifth and Wallin subsequently walked onto one short right-hand.
The doctor was called in with just over a minute of the sixth remaining but Fury was cleared to continue and he knew he had to finish it quickly.
Wallin grew in confidence at the sight of blood and all of a sudden a shock was on the cards as he looked to emulate compatriot Ingemar Johansson, who 60 years ago shocked the world by upsetting dominant world champion Floyd Patterson in New York.
More to follow…
