Dillian Whyte puts WBC hopes on line against dangerous Otto Wallin
- Matty Briggs
- 19 September 2021
Dillian Whyte will face hard-hitting Otto Wallin as he takes another step en route to an explosive clash with WBA heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
Dillian Whyte will put his WBC heavyweight title hopes on the line next month when he tussles with big-hitting Otto Wallin.
It was announced on Thursday that Whyte will face dangerous Swede Wallin at London's O2 Arena on October 30.
It's a serious match up which has taken many by surprise. Promoter Eddie Hearn was talking about a fight with Jermaine Franklin or Chris Arreol. Instead, Whyte, 33, will put his credentials on the line against 30-year-old Wallin.
It's a clash which could leave Whyte's plans in tatters again after he saw his WBC mandatory challenger hopes disintegrate last year when Alexander Povetkin knocked him out.
He ruthlessly avenged that heavy defeat in March this year with a dominant display against the Russian. Whyte rocked Povetkin with a flurry of right hand shots before almost taking off the veteran's head with a vicious left hook in the fourth round.
It was arguably one of Whyte's most destructive performances and he looked like a man on a mission, with Tyson Fury on his mind, in the Gibraltar rematch.
'Hungry' Whyte
"Hungry" was the caption on a recent Instagram post from Whyte and it's hard to argue against the Brixton-based fighter.
The very fact that he's opted to square off against Wallin (22-1, 14 KO) suggests Whyte is in no mood to stand still.
WBC champion Fury has even namechecked Whyte as recently as last week.
Whyte, who holds the WBC 'interim' title, recently labelled Fury a 'disgrace' to British boxing'.
Fury responded by including Whyte in his four-fight plan, saying: ''I'll fight Dillian Whyte back in UK for the first time in years, up north somewhere, Manchester or something. In December.
Fury responded by including Whyte in his four-fight plan, saying: ''I'll fight Dillian Whyte back in UK for the first time in years, up north somewhere, Manchester or something. In December.
"Let's get a date for December and I'll shut that bum right up. That will be an easy one."
Of course, Fury will first have to dispose of Deontay Wilder in their trilogy fight later this month.
Whyte (28-2, 19 KO) meanwhile has a tricky fight with Wallin to contend with.
Historically Whyte has had his punch resistance questioned and Wallin has more than enough power to cause the 6ft 4in Brit big problems.
Wallin's 14 KOs show he possesses real bite in his punches and Dominic Breazeale was rocked to his boots by a straight left-hand in February this year.
Wallin was much the smaller man but triumphed by a unanimous verdict against the wily American. Breazeale was left with a badly swollen eye, with the scorecards (117-111, 118-110, 116-112) reflecting a straight-forward win.
Wallin v Fury
Wallin though is more famous for his 2019 September tussle with Fury.
The 'Gypsy King' was expected to walk through the 6ft 51/2in southpaw. But the Brit could only manage a unanimous points decision after Wallin took him the distance.
It could have been much better for Wallin who inflicted a bad cut on Fury in round three with an overhand left.
The referee, despite looking at the wound several times, allowed Fury to box on.
Fury took the decision (116-112, 117-111, and 118-110), but he had to withstand a brave assault from Wallin in the final round, which was scored to Wallin on all three judges' cards.
It demonstrated the toughness of Wallin and if he can avoid Whyte's heavy shots and drag him deep into the contest he may well get some joy.
