Tyson Fury survives cut to defeat Otto Wallin by UD, calls out Deontay Wilder

Tyson Fury survived a brutal cut to beat Otto Wallin by unanimous decision and called out Deontay Wilder who he wants for his next fight.

Otto Wallin was supposed to be a tune-up bout for heavyweight boxing superstar Tyson Fury, but it turned into a dramatic affair that tested Fury physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Wallin came into the matchup ranging anywhere from an 11-1 to a 22-1 underdog according to the Sportsbook Review, but he gave Fury all he could handle. He damaged Fury early and the outcome was always in doubt.

Wallin came out stalking Fury in round 1. Fury kept him away with his jab, but Wallin targeted his body with his straight left hand. Wallin kept his right lead foot in proper position on the outside of Fury’s lead foot. It was a quiet round, but it looked good for Wallin.

Fury switched to southpaw early in round 2. He stayed that way for the entire round but didn’t throw many punches. Wallin got in close to Fury on several occasions. They traded during the last-minute but it was a stalemate. Wallin handled himself well and exceeded expectations.

Fury came out of his corner pumping his jab in round 3. He was more aggressive and tried to land massive rights, but didn’t connect. It was a better round for Fury because he was active. He had Wallin on his back foot and controlled the action.

Some drama entered the picture at the end of the round as blood flowed from Fury’s right eyebrow. When he went to his corner, a huge gash was visible. On replay, a Wallin left hand opened up the cut.

The cut empowered Wallin as he opened up on Fury and came out strong in round 4. Fury stayed calm and boxed, but he might have been better served by showing urgency and throwing power punches.

Wallin kept up the pressure in round 5. He pushed Fury to the ropes and mixed in punches to the body and head. Fury tried to catch Wallin with a right uppercut, but Wallin walked through it and kept his hands moving.

Wallin scored early to Fury’s head and body in round 6. Fury looked too complacent and out of sorts. Wallin took the fight to him, and he couldn’t do anything to stop him. The battle was spiraling out of control for Fury.

With a minute remaining in round 6, referee Tony Weeks stopped the action and had the doctor look at Fury’s eye. He allowed the action to continue and Fury immediately attacked Wallin, sensing that the fight could be stopped. Blood painted Fury’s face as he tried to damage Wallin.

During a break at the closing bell, Wallin raked Fury’s face near his cut eye. It was a dirty move that drew a chorus of boos from the crowd.

Fury swung for the fences to start round 7. His punches were accurate, but they weren’t doing enough damage. Wallin never appeared hurt, but Fury was chipping away at the durability of his chin.

Round 8 was another Fury round, but the severity of his cut lingered. Fury routinely winged right hands to Wallin’s head, but Wallin absorbed them well.

Fury desperately threw power punches to Wallin consistently throughout round 9. He tried to knock him out with every blow. Wallin was severely outboxed. Fury’s heart was on full display as he battered Wallin to the ropes and looked to have him hurt. Wallin waved him on, but he was getting hit with everything.

Fury’s right hand nailed Wallin to the body and head and rocked him to begin round 10. Wallin offered nothing in return and was in survival mode. Wallin’s mouth was open the entire time as he grimaced in pain. Fury punished him to the body, but he managed to stay on his feet.

Wallin looked a bit more alive in round 11, but Fury continued to press him. Fury landed a right hand that made Wallin’s legs wilt. Fury’s right eye worsened, and he repeatedly pawed the blood and gore. Fury thumped Wallin with wild rights to close the round, but his eye was a mess.

In the final round, Fury peppered Wallin with punches, but Wallin fought back and caught Fury with a left hand that hurt him. Wallin pursued Fury as the blood poured out of Fury’s mangled right eye. Fury held Wallin to stall his attack. It worked, and he made it to the final bell despite his gruesome wound.

Fury won by unanimous decision with scores of 116-112, 117-111 and 118-110. The scores don’t tell the tale of how desperate Fury’s situation was. His cut was bad enough to stop the fight at any moment, but he was allowed to continue and showed his gigantic heart and determination in the process.

Fury’s rematch with Deontay Wilder is still in play as long as Wilder defeats Luis Ortiz in his next contest and when he recovers from his cut suffered tonight. Fury called out Wilder in the ring after his win.

Fury proved that he’s able to fight through anything to win. Now, Wilder has to do his part to keep their 2020 date a reality.