Bob Arum in Las Vegas (Photo: Hustle Boss)

By Chris Robinson

On Sep. 14, inside of the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV, former lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury overcame a nasty cut above his right eye, as well as a spirited effort from contender Otto Wallin, before winning a clear unanimous decision victory.

Fury (29-0-1, 20 KO’s) had dismantled Thomas Schwarz in Las Vegas three months prior in a dominant showcase that saw him score a second round TKO victory. But Wallin (20-1, 13 KO’s) came to fight, and made a go of things vs. possibly the best big man on the planet.

Speaking on Fury’s victory post-fight, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum gave Wallin his due.

“Wallin is a good fighter, for Christ sake,” Arum explained. “He realized this was a career-defining moment for him. Now he will be considered one of the top heavyweights of the world. We knew that when he was selected.”

Fury now looks towards a possible rematch with WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder in early 2020. The two men fought to a split-draw in December of last year in a contest many saw Fury winning despite getting dropped twice. Fury was likely to be the betting favorite heading into the rematch, and Arum was asked if Fury showed any vulnerability vs. Wallin.

“Why don’t you give Otto Wallin credit?” Arum asked. “It wasn’t vulnerability. Otto Wallin is a tough out for anybody. He’s a courageous guy, he knows how to fight, he takes a good punch It was a great test. He got a lot of work, and it gets him ready for the Wilder fight next year.”

Chris Robinson can be reached at CRobinson@hustleboss.com