Otto Wallin is aiming to beat Rydell Booker on the way to a world title fight.
Booker is a 41-year-old veteran who will be fighting in his hometown of Detroit, while the Swede returns to the United States after last fighting in Cardiff earlier in the year.
Having impressed in 2019 in a clash with Tyson Fury that might have been the current WBC champion’s toughest fight of his career, Wallin hopes success against Booker will help him line up a shot at a world title.
“I always enter the ring knowing I’ve done all I can in training and that brings me confidence to perform at my best and makes me willing to do what it takes to win,” said Wallin, reported BoxingScene.com.
"My preparations for fights, both physically and mentally, are always 100%. This fight doesn’t have the magnitude that I’ve been hoping for, but it’s great for me to be active. I need that to keep developing and to be ready when the bigger fights come.”
However, the 31-year-old southpaw said he would not be complacent against Booker.
“Booker is a well-schooled boxer and a skillful one,” he continued, “and anything can happen in heavyweight boxing, so I cannot underestimate him. I expect me to be the busier guy with Booker trying to counter my shots. I’m ready for whatever he will bring.
“My plan has always been to become heavyweight world champion so that doesn’t change with Fury’s potential retirement. I’m here to work my way up the rankings and force the champions to fight me.”