Fury thrilled by unknown as he prepares for Wallin

Tyson Fury admits he gets “turned on” by facing the unknown and that is why he will not underestimate Otto Wallin in their heavyweight fight in Las Vegas.

The Swede has a 20-bout unbeaten record, which includes 13 knockouts, but none have been anywhere near this level and Fury’s trainer Ben Davis said even he struggled to find footage of the unheard 28-year-old.

Fury has taken the fight as stop-gap ahead of an expected rematch against Deontay Wilder in February and while he knows little about his opponent that merely adds to the excitement for the Mancunian.

“I don’t know much about Otto at all and sometimes that’s a good thing as when you know everything about an opponent it doesn’t turn me on like it should do,” said the 31-year-old selfstyled “Gypsy King”.

“But when you have the unknown that is more exciting.”

Comparisons have been drawn from Wallin’s compatriot Ingemar Johansson who 60 years ago shocked the world by upsetting dominant world champion Floyd Patterson in New York.

However, Fury insists that will not happen on Saturday.

“I’ve not overlooked him, I’ve been in America for five weeks training,” he added.

“No one is under any illusions. Ingemar Johansson came and knocked out Floyd Patterson. Is Otto Wallin going to knock out el rey de los gitanos (Fury has adopted the Spanish translation of the Gypsy King for his fight on Mexican Independence weekend)? Definitely not.

“The fact is I don’t underestimate anyone. I give everyone the ultimate respect.”