Bloodied Tyson Fury survives scare in gruesome showdown

Tyson Fury has overcome a significant early double-cut above his eye to score a unanimous points decision over previously unbeaten Otto Wallin in Las Vegas.

The 31-year-old finished the fight with his white shorts stained with blood. He suffered a large gash above his eyebrow and a smaller one in his eyelid in the third round. A constant trickle of blood troubled him for the remainder of the bout.

Referee Tony Week, on several occasions, asked Fury's corner to tend to the cut and called in the doctor towards the end of the sixth round with genuine concerns the fight might be stopped.

However, Fury battled through and - as his opponent tired - he began to take control, despite still being hampered by the injury.

This was intended as a stop-gap fight before an expected rematch with Deontay Wilder in February but, if Fury was hoping to make a statement, this wasn't it.

With no idea how long he would be allowed to continue, he tried to step up the attack after the doctor's inspection. He landed two big right-handers in the seventh round, one which rocked Wallin back onto the ropes, and a few more found their target in the eighth and ninth.

The Swede, unbeaten in 20 fights but stepping up a level in Vegas, looked to be tiring but managed to grind it out to the final round.

Despite Wallin thinking he had done enough, the win was unanimous for Fury: 116-112, 117-111 and 118-110.

Fury said: "I know Otto's father (who died earlier this year) would be very proud of his son.

"It was a great fight, I got caught on the eye and that changed the fight. For the majority, I could not see out of the eye. Then there was a clash of heads and I got cut again.

"I hit him with some good shots, some big body shots.

"A good 12 rounds - he was tough. Deontay Wilder, I want you next, bum. That's my fourth fight; it has put me in good stead for the big dosser, February 22nd. Let the cut heal, have some time to relax with the family.

"I haven't seen the cut, it feels quite bad, but I'm the Gypsy Warrior. It's all heart and determination. If I can keep going, I will keep going. He was 20-0, didn't know how to lose, but he does now."