Fury still standing tall in US after win

TYSON Fury’s reputation in the United States will not be affected by his gruelling 12-round victory over relative unknown Otto Wallin, according to the boxer’s promoter Frank Warren.

However, it remains to be seen whether the deep cut he received above his right eye, and a smaller one on the eyelid, will impact the scheduling of his highly-anticipated rematch with Deontay Wilder.

Fury battled through nine rounds with blood continually running into his eye to take a unanimous points decision before being transported straight to the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada.

The 31-year-old said he had received 50 stitches and doctors had done a ‘fantastic job.’

The injury impacted the Mancunian’s ability to execute his game plan as, with the doctor being called to inspect the wounds at least twice, there was a real concern the fight would be stopped and he would lose on a TKO.

It was a different kind of show from the one Fury – who beat Tom Schwarz in Las Vegas in June – wanted to put on but Warren insisted it would not have diminished his standing among US fans.

“It doesn’t affect his standing, how can it? He won the fight,” said Warren. “He won it with a serious injury.

“I was concerned when the doctor went to the corner a couple of times he would stop the fight – maybe another doctor would have stopped it. The bottom line is Tyson won the fight. He did what he had to do, he hurt him a few times. Wallin was a very credible opponent. All these people, armchair critics and judges, who come out with these various predictions, I have to keep saying to them anything can happen with these big guys and it nearly did again.”

While Warren is confident the damage will not affect the proposed February 22 rematch with Wilder, he admits it hinges on how well Fury heals.

“The doctors here said as much as it was a very bad cut it was a clean cut and doesn’t need micro-surgery inside and it will stitch well so, fingers crossed, it will be all right,” he said.