Wallin's Quest to Break Sweden's Heavyweight Championship Drought

Wallin's Journey to Heavyweight Glory

Otto Wallin, the Swedish heavyweight boxer, is set to headline at Manchester's Co-op Live Arena against Derek Chisora in a bout that has been elevated to an IBF title eliminator. The winner of this clash will be in line to face either champion Daniel Dubois or Joseph Parker, who are scheduled to square off on 22 February in Riyadh.

A Nation's Hope

Sweden has not celebrated a heavyweight world champion since Ingemar Johansson in 1960. Wallin, with 15 knockouts from his 27 wins, believes it's time for a change. "It's about risk and reward," Wallin told BBC Sport. "When you get an offer for a good fight, that's what you have been waiting for so you are going to take it. I think I have a smart team around me that advise me."

Facing the Veteran

The build-up for the event billed as 'The Last Dance' has largely centred around Chisora, who will make his 49th ringwalk and last on UK soil, with the 41-year-old planning to retire after his 50th bout overseas. However, Wallin remains unfazed, focusing instead on the job at hand. "The crowd will be on his side. I like that, though. There is less pressure," Wallin added.

Career Challenges and Triumphs

Wallin's journey has been marked by both challenges and triumphs. He went up against Tyson Fury prior to the Briton's second meeting with Deontay Wilder but came up short, suffering the first loss of his career. He rebuilt momentum with a run of six successive victories, including the biggest win of his career against former unified cruiserweight world champion Murat Gassiev. However, he also endured several downs, with cancellations and injuries disrupting his path.

Recent Form and Future Prospects

After seeing off Gassiev in Turkey, Wallin earned a date with Anthony Joshua, but the former two-time heavyweight champion proved too good and stopped him in round five. Despite these setbacks, Wallin remains optimistic. "I was the underdog [against Gassiev] but I came through and beat him," Wallin added. "I was worried I wouldn't get an opportunity like this again. Sometimes you have to wait and then all of a sudden you get a call like I did for this fight [against Chisora]."

Balancing Act

Outside of the ring, Wallin has tried to find the right balance between training and relaxing. He has varied his training regime as he seeks to achieve peak physical fitness - working "boxing, cardio and weights" - but has also ensured he makes time to switch off and refresh mentally by playing computer games. "I play Counter-Strike on the PC," Wallin said. "It's a nice way to relax, even though it's not so relaxing when you play - it can be competitive."

Looking Ahead

As Wallin steps into the ring against Chisora, the stakes couldn't be higher. A victory would not only propel him closer to the coveted world title but also reignite Sweden's hope for a heavyweight champion after six decades of waiting.