Tyson Fury returns to Las Vegas on Sept 14 to fight Sweden’s Otto Wallin, less than three months since his second-round destruction of Tom Schwarz at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, it was confirmed on Tuesday.
Victory will earn Fury a meeting with Deontay Wilder for the World Boxing Council heavyweight crown early next year.
The self-styled “Gypsy King” meets Wallin at the T-Mobile Arena in the second of a five-fight deal with ESPN worth £80 million. BT Sport will have the broadcast rights in the UK.
Wallin is undefeated in 20 contests, with 13 knockouts, and is ranked No 4 with the World Boxing Association and No 11 with the International Boxing Federation.
“I’m delighted that Tyson is boxing in Las Vegas again after his previous success,” Frank Warren, his promoter, said.
“It is another undefeated boxer he is facing and a contest where a victory will set up the Deontay Wilder rematch. Otto Wallin knows this is his big chance, and Tyson will not be underestimating him.”
Fury said: “I am pleased to be back in Las Vegas. I loved my time there in my last fight and am going to put on a show again. Otto Wallin is a world-ranked fighter and is tall, something we want with the Deontay Wilder rematch around the corner. He is also a southpaw, which will bring its own obstacles, but I will be fully focused to get this job done because the rematch needs to happen.”
Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said: “Tyson Fury electrified Las Vegas last time he fought, and he is set to do it again against a tough kid in Otto Wallin. Tyson knows what’s at stake, and I expect him to have another masterful performance. He is the best heavyweight in the world and is only beginning to show everyone what he is capable of.”
Wallin said: “This is the type of fight I’ve been waiting for since I was a kid and my father started showing me some boxing moves in our kitchen.
“I’ve made a lot of sacrifices to get to this point, and I’m very happy it’s starting to pay off. I want to thank my team and my supporters for making this happen.
“I know I’m an underdog in this fight, but I’m ready for this opportunity and I’m going to grab it with both hands. Anybody can get beat and especially in the heavyweight division. I like the fact that I have everything to gain and Tyson has everything to lose.”
Elsewhere, undefeated two-weight world champion Billy Joe Saunders joined Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing stable as he chases down contests with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, Gennady Golovkin, Callum Smith and Demetrius Andrade, all of whom have promotional ties with DAZN in the United States and Sky Sports, Hearn’s broadcast partners. Saunders’s first fight under Hearn will be announced next week.