Heavyweight contender Otto Wallin is hoping to get back in the ring by the late summer.

Wallin raised his level last September, when he came very close to a stoppage victory over current WBC world champion Tyson Fury.

Fury suffered severe cuts during the fight and was bleeding profusely. Because the cuts came from legal punches, if the ringside doctor stopped the fight it would have given Wallin a TKO win. But the fight was allowed to continue until the end, with Fury winning a twelve round unanimous decision.

Wallin was set to return back in March, against former WBA champion Lucas Browne, as part of a Showtime televised card from Las Vegas.

Even before that card was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, Wallin withdrew from the bout with a foot injury.

It wasn't long before Wallin was dealing with symptoms of the Covid-19 virus.

Currently he's fully recovered, feeling healthy, and mentally ready to return to the ring.

"Otto has finished his physical therapy for the injured foot and is returning back to boxing training," Wallin's promoter Dmitriy Salita told Sky Sports.

"The plan is for Otto to get back into boxing shape and back to the gym once they open up in New York. This week he started doing some boxing training with his trainer Joey Gamache outside in the park.

"Otto has had a challenging several months with fracturing his foot and then overcoming Covid-19. The plan would be to have him back in the ring late summer."

Salita believes his fighter proved his world-class abilities against Fury and now wants bigger fight.

"Otto has proved his world-class abilities in his last fight versus Tyson Fury, and in the near future can be ready for Joshua and Whyte," said Salita.