Otto Wallin sets sights on two heavyweight rivals

SWEDISH heavyweight Otto Wallin has two names in mind for his next fight.

The 33-year-old was outclassed by Anthony Joshua last December but returned to the winning circle in July with a first round knockout against the unheralded Onoriode Ehwarieme.

Wallin told Boxing News he would be happy to return to Saudi Arabia – where he lost to Joshua – in the future but for now wants to get his career back on track. The southpaw discussed two potential options when he recently spoke to BN.

“I think Dillian Whyte is a perfect fight for me,” Wallin said.

“From where I’m at right now Dillian Whyte, [Derek] Chisora there’s so many names. There’s a bunch of guys. I’m here and ready for it.”

Wallin and Whyte were due to meet three years ago but their fight was cancelled nine days out after the Brit suffered a shoulder injury. Since losing to Tyson Fury in April 2022 Whyte has won two from two against Jermaine Franklin Jr and Christian Hammer, respectively.

Another fighter on Wallin’s radar is a German heavyweight making strides in the division.

“[Agit] Kabayel would be a good fight,” Wallin said.

“We were actually supposed to fight in early 2018 or maybe 2019 for the European title but unfortunately my trainer got sucker punched on the street here in New York. He broke his jaw and went to the hospital so we cancelled the fight because of that.”

Kabayel has emerged as a live contender in the last nine months after beating Arslanbek Makhmudov and Frank Sanchez in impressive fashion.

“I think he’s always been a good fighter,” Wallin said.

“We sparred four rounds one time when I was over sparring with [Kubrat] Pulev in Germany. I always knew he was a good fighter so it’s not that surprising. He’s had a good couple good wins now and [we’ll] see where it goes from here but I think that’s a fight that I will entertain.”