Otto Wallin

Otto Wallin, born in Sundsvall, Sweden, on November 21, 1990, and stands at a staggering, 6’5 didn't chance upon boxing; it was intricately woven into his family's heritage. Surrounded by echoes of his father's and brothers' accomplishments in local boxing rings, Wallin found his calling in the noble and nimble art. However, Sweden's ban on professional boxing since 1970 hindered his ambitions. Despite this restriction, Wallin immersed himself in amateur boxing, nurturing dreams of Olympic success despite the dearth of opportunities and competition within Sweden's borders.

His journey as an amateur fighter showcased resilience and adaptability. Confronted with limitations in Sweden's boxing scene, Wallin sought challenges far and wide, adapting to diverse levels of competition. Encounters with formidable fighters like Anthony Joshua resulted in setbacks during his amateur career. Nevertheless, Wallin persisted, using these experiences as stepping stones toward eventual triumphs. His dedication bore fruit with a collection of gold medals in 2011, marking the pinnacle of his pursuit of boxing excellence. His towering presence as a southpaw drew admiration from esteemed champions past and present, including Anthony Joshua. While never crowned a world champion, Wallin put Swedish boxing on the global map, engaging consistently in some of the heavyweight division's most significant fights, from amateur to professional ranks. He has faced formidable opponents, such as Tyson Fury, where at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Wallin cut Tyson Fury's eye with an electric left hand, almost ending the fight. This punch solidified Sweden's presence on the global boxing stage for years to come.

Otto exhibits remarkable agility for a heavyweight boxer. His classical Southpaw style is characterized by brawling, volume, and a devastating left hand. Both his left and right hands serve as formidable tools, allowing him to throw straight punches to the head and body seamlessly, setting up high-volume combinations that can destabilize opponents easily. His pendulum-like head movement stands out as one of his best defensive tactics. He aims to establish range or box toe-to-toe, often initiating with a probing jab or launching a hard left hand from these maneuvers. Reports suggest excellent synchronization when throwing punches, even during defensive maneuvers.

What distinctly aids Otto in the heavyweight division are his lightning-fast reflexes. He demonstrates the ability to evade strikes by mere millimeters and milliseconds, pulling his head back when punches breach his guard. In the upper echelons of the heavyweight class, where punching power is prevalent, Otto employs a high guard against formidable opponents' forceful strikes while occasionally using parrying techniques to set up his own counter hooks and left-hand strikes, leveraging his Southpaw stance. His superb lateral movement, an uncommon trait among Southpaws in lighter weight classes, allows him to maneuver from various angles, controlling the ring's center and utilizing all corners of the squared canvas to dictate the fight's pace and direction.