By Keith Idec

ATLANTIC CITY – This wasn’t what Otto Wallin had in mind for his debut in the United States.

Wallin had hoped to knock out Nick Kisner in a fight Showtime televised to help raise the Swedish heavyweight’s profile among American boxing fans. The undefeated southpaw instead settled for a no-contest because Kisner suffered a prohibitive cut during the first round of their scheduled 10-rounder on the Claressa Shields-Christina Hammer undercard at Boardwalk Hall’s Adrian Phillips Theater.

Dr. Wei Xu, a ringside physician for New Jersey’s State Athletic Control Board, determined that Kisner couldn’t continue due to a cut over his right eye.

Referee David Franciosi ruled that the cut was caused by an accidental clash of heads. In accordance with Association of Boxing Commission’s rules, the fight thus was ruled a no-contest.

Before Saturday night, Wallin (20-0, 13 KOs, 1 NC) hadn’t fought since he defeated fellow Swede Adrian Granat (15-2, 14 KOs) by unanimous decision in a 12-rounder last April 21 in Sundsvall, Sweden, Wallin’s hometown.

Baltimore’s Kisner, 28, wasn’t supposed to test Wallin all that much because he is a small heavyweight who also has competed at cruiserweight in recent years. Kisner isn’t a puncher, either, as he has knocked out only 23 percent of his opponents (21-4-1, 6 KOs, 1 NC).

Kisner sustained that costly cut over his right eye less than halfway into the first round. Wallin also appeared to suffer a cut around the same time, and in an unusual spot – near his left temple.

Franciosi called for a break in the action with 36 seconds to go in the first round, so that Kisner’s cut could be examined. The fight resumed, but between rounds Xu determined that Kisner should not leave his corner for the second round.

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.