Otto Wallin was the only thing standing in Tyson Fury's path to a potential February rematch against WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. The unknown from Sweden wasn't expected to be more than a body who would allow Fury to get in a few rounds of work.
Wallin nearly put a dent in those plans when he opened a gruesome gash over Fury's right eye early in the fight. Fury struggled with the cut but pulled through and controlled the last half of the bout to win by unanimous decision (118-110, 117-111, 116-112) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
"For the majority of the fight, I couldn't see out of my left eye," Fury said in his postfight interview. "It was a good performance. Otto Wallin is a tough Swede. Blood, guts, heart, all shown tonight."
Fury (29-0-1, 20 KOs) started quickly after taking more than five minutes to enter the ring, a production that included a mariachi band playing on Mexican Independence Day. The lineal heavyweight champ was starting to get into a groove when Wallin connected on a left hand in Round 3. Blood immediately started gushing from Fury's right eye.
The deep cut affected Fury the remainder of the fight. He kept wiping the wound and at times fought with fear and reluctance. Seeing Fury so vulnerable gave Wallin confidence he could win the fight.
Wallin (20-1, 13 KOs) started to throw every shot with no fear. He went inside and made Fury's body his central point of attack. An upset was brewing.
The momentum shifted toward Fury in the sixth round after referee Tony Weeks ordered the ringside doctor to inspect Fury's cut. With blood pouring down the right side of his face, Fury told the doctor he could see, and the bout continued.
From there, it was all Fury.
Fearful of having the fight stopped and with the Wilder sequel hanging in the balance, Fury went on the attack and tried to finish Wallin with a barrage to the body and upstairs.
The champ remained in control from that point. He mercilessly pounded Wallin's body and head with evil intentions. When Wallin had any bit of breathing room, Fury leaned on Wallin's body to continue to suck the air out of his opponent.
Wallin made a valiant effort in the 12th round. He unloaded everything including the kitchen sink, and it was almost enough. He stunned Fury with five left hands. Fury composed himself, however, made it to the final bell and secured his spot in a proposed rematch with Wilder.
Now, Wilder has to hold up his end of the bargain against Luis Ortiz in a bout that's expected to take place in November. Fury left a pointed message for the "Bronze Bomber."
"Deontay Wilder, I want you next, bum," he said.