Swedish heavyweight Otto Wallin (16-0, 11 KOs) must meet a new opponent in a new country after Eugene Hill was forced to withdraw from their scheduled contest on December 9 at the Rosvalla Arena in Nyköping, Sweden.
Hill was unable to travel to Sweden due to unpaid child support, and although a replacement had been found, strict regulations imposed by the Swedish Martial Arts Delegation, meant there was not enough time for a new opponent to be approved.
Instead, Wallin will face Raphael Zumbano Love (39-13-1, 32 KOs) a week earlier on December 3 in Sofia, Bulgaria. He will be fighting in front 15,000 fans at the Arena Armeec on the undercard of the WBA Intercontinental Heavyweight title clash between European Champion Kubrat Pulev and former World Champion Samuel Peter.
‘’Of course, I’m disappointed to not be able to fight at home, but unfortunately with the political situation in Sweden, that was not possible,’’ said Wallin.
‘’I would love to get the chance to meet with someone in the government to speak to them about pro boxing. We have a good commission here in Sweden, and I think they should be trusted to make the decisions, like in other countries.”
Despite his disappointment, the Sundsvall southpaw says he is looking forward to joining former sparring partner Kubrat Pulev in action in the Bulgarian capital.
‘’I’m happy that I still get to fight, and I’m excited for it to be happening on such a big show,” he says. ”Zumbano Love is a strong opponent. I’ve seen him before and he’s fought some good guys. He’s been the distance with Shannon Briggs, Eric Molina and Charles Martin, so I think he will give me a tough fight, but I’m confident. I just want to get the rounds in, get the win and look good doing it!’’
Swedish fans can watch Wallin vs. Zumbano Love live and exclusive on Viaplay Fighting. For more information please visit http://www.viaplay.se.
Lihaug ready for ring return
Tim-Robin Lihaug (15-2, 8 KOs) returns to the ring on December 3 when he travels to the Arena Armeec in Sofia to face Gergo Horvath (9-2-1, 5 KOs).
The Norwegian boxer will be fighting on the undercard of Kubrat Pulev’s long awaited homecoming fight with Samuel Peter for the WBA Intercontinental Heavyweight title.
It will be Lihaug’s first fight back since meeting two-weight World Champion Arthur Abraham in July, an experience he believes will stand him in good stead for the future.
‘’For me, the Abraham fight was proof I belong at the highest level,’’ he said. ‘’I learnt a lot from that fight and when I’m in the same situation again, I know I will win.’’
The 24 year-old will now be campaigning at light heavyweight, having decided to move up in weight following the Abraham fight.
‘’Recently, I’ve really struggled to make super middleweight, especially against Abraham,’’ he reveals. ‘’At light heavyweight, I feel much stronger. I’m hitting harder, I’m more explosive and it just suits me better.’’
Lihaug can now look forward to showcasing his skills in front of 15,000 fans in the Bulgarian capital, as he looks to get back to winning ways against the Hungarian Horvath.
‘’It’s amazing to get the chance to fight in front of such a big audience,’’ he says. ‘’I’m looking forward to showing everybody what I can do. My opponent has a decent record, but I’m fit, I’m sharp, and I’ll be ready for whatever he has to offer.’’
Norwegian fans can watch Lihaug vs. Horvath live and exclusive on Viaplay Fighting. For more information please visit https://viaplay.no/fighting.