Some people get cake, some get presents, and some even get both. For heavyweight Otto Wallin, he got a belated birthday gift—one that might just take him back to the top of the heavyweight ranks.
The 34-year-old from Sweden, now based in New York, was offered a fight with veteran Derek Chisora just a day after his birthday, on November 21.
Wallin, who holds a record of 27-2 (15 KOs), will meet the 40-year-old Derek Chisora at Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester, England, on February 8. Originally, Jarrell Miller was slated to fight Chisora, but that matchup fell through, giving Wallin a golden opportunity to revive his career after a tough loss to Anthony Joshua in December 2023.
With his eyes firmly set on redemption, Wallin knows this is his chance to get back in the mix. Chisora, with a record of 35-13 (23 KOs), has been a staple in the heavyweight division for years, known for his aggressive, all-action style. While Wallin has been working hard with trainer Joey Gamache at Mendez Boxing in New York, he’s not taking this fight lightly, even though he’s keeping things in perspective.
Wallin shared the story of the unexpected call:
“We just got a call the day after my birthday, actually, and we were offered the fight with Chisora. I told Jolene [Mizzone, his manager] that we should do it, and it only took us a few days to make the deal and sign the contracts.
“It was the best birthday gift I could’ve asked for. Boxing can be tough because sometimes you just don’t know when your next fight is coming. You’re training all the time, waiting... and we had a feeling something was coming, so it worked out perfectly."
Chisora is coming off a career-revival himself, in his last fight he won a unanimous decision over Joe Joyce in July. Wallin is respectful but knows the veteran's age and wear might play a role.
“I think Chisora’s had a great career—he’s fought all the top guys and always put up tough fights,” Wallin said. "He’s been in many wars, and now they’re saying this might be his last fight in the UK. He may not have much left, but he’s still dangerous. He’s aggressive and will definitely bring it. I’m ready for a tough fight.”
As for the fight itself, Wallin isn’t focused on style points—he’s laser-focused on the win.
“It’s important to look good, but the most important thing is just to win,” Wallin said “If I don’t win, none of that matters. For the next 10 weeks, it’s all about working hard, getting in the best shape of my life, and taking care of Chisora. After that, we’ll look at the next steps."