Davtaev Replaces Wallin, Faces Browne In March

A replacement needed to be made on Showtime’s March 28 card, allowing one top heavyweight to replace another. Apti Davtaev will be replacing Otto Wallin (of Tyson Fury fame) against Lucas Browne in the co-main event of the show from inside Park Theater at Park MGM in Las Vegas.

Wallin (20-1) had to get out of the fight due to a foot injury. It would have been his first fight since losing to lineal champion Tyson Fury back in September. It was a bout that Wallin, who cut Fury above the eye, almost won.

“Otto suffered a minor injury and suspending training was the smart thing to do,” promotor Dmitriy Salita stated. “He will be back in the ring in no time. Fortunately, Apti was in top shape and ready to go. He is a gifted heavyweight and he’ll be on everyone’s radar after March 28.”

Davtaev (20-1-1) is on a 12-fight win streak. His last fight was a knockout win over John Napari a few weeks ago on February 21. He has 19 wins via knockout, and his only win via decision was against Garrett Wilson in 2018. The only blemish on the 30-year-old Russian’s resume was a draw against Ante Verunica back in 2014. This will be his first nationally-televised bout.

Earning a win back in November over John Hopoate via TKO, Lucas Browne (29-2) has 25 wins via knockout. The 40-year-old is 4-2 in his last six fights. The only losses of his career are against Dillion Whyte and David Allen. This will be Browne’s United Stated debut.

The main event of this Showtime-produced card will be Luis Nery facing Aaron Alameda in a WBC Super-Bantamweight Title eliminator bout.