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SPORTS Thursday 12 sepTember 2019
Column: Fury faces the great unknown against Sweden’s Wallin

By TIM DAHLBERG boxing gloves on doing
AP Sports Columnist the same thing — trying to
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Tyson throw punches at my face
Fury shouldn’t have too and trying to cash in on my
much trouble in the ring this lottery ticket.”
weekend against an oppo- Fury’s story is a remarkable
nent whose biggest claim one, and a cautionary
to fame is that he’s argu- tale to any fighter. He de-
ably the best heavyweight throned Wladimir Klitschko
fighter in Sweden. in 2015 to claim the heavy-
He might have more trou- weight title but gave up his
ble convincing Mexican titles without a defense and
fans that he’s really one of was out of the ring for more
them. Fury is giving it his best than two years while bat-
shot this week, channeling tling severe depression and
his inner showman to em- substance abuse problems.
brace all things Mexican as But it was his fight with Wild-
he promotes his fight Satur- er in December that really
day night with Otto Wallin. resonated with boxing fans.
He’s visited a local taque- Fury controlled the fight
ria, worn a Mexican wres- most of the way, only to be
tling mask and even tried a knocked flat on the canvas
few phrases in Spanish that in the 12th round before
he’s been working on. Tyson Fury attends an open workout Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019, in Las Vegas. Fury is scheduled to somehow finding a way to
It’s all done with tongue face Otto Wallin in a heavyweight boxing match Saturday. get up and finish the round
planted firmly in cheek — Associated Press strong.
yet with a purpose. The prepares for a scheduled from very depressed and fight that fans want to see. Neither fighter was happy
big Englishman is calling February rematch with down and out to be the lin- Most don’t even know who with the ensuing draw —
attention to the fact he’s heavyweight champion eal champion of the world Wallin is, even as he at- but afterward the irrepress-
the main attraction on Deontay Wilder. It’s his sec- fighting in Las Vegas two tempts to pull the biggest ible Fury led reporters in a
Mexican Independence ond straight fight in Las Ve- times. It’s fantastic for me.” Swedish heavyweight up- singing session. He would
Day weekend in this boxing gas under new promoter It’s good for the heavy- set since Ingemar Johans- later sign with Bob Arum’s
city, a spot reserved in re- Top Rank as he continues weight division, too, be- son shocked Floyd Patter- Top Rank and is firmly in the
cent years for Canelo Alva- to make the case he is the cause Fury is at heart a pro- son to win the heavyweight mix of what is becoming a
rez, who couldn’t come to true heavyweight cham- moter himself. Get him on title in 1959. fascinating heavyweight
terms on a fight of his own. pion of the world in a field the phone and it’s tough That includes Fury, who division.
“I’m even going to fight like crowded with title holders. to get a question in as he hasn’t taken a lot of time to The second fight with Wilder
a Mexican in this fight, all It’s also a fight he couldn’t offers his view on life, the study his latest opponent, looms, and so do possible
guts and heart going for- have imagined not that heavyweight division and who is unbeaten in 20 fights fights with Anthony Joshua
ward,” Fury said. “I am a long ago as he struggled any man who would dare but hasn’t faced anyone and Andy Ruiz Jr., who fight
chameleon. I can adapt to with mental illness and want to get in the ring with of note. “I don’t know any- in a title rematch Dec. 7 in
any situation.” drugs and alcohol. him. Watch him at Wednes- thing about him,” Fury (28- Saudi Arabia.
Fury shouldn’t have to “Two years ago I thought day’s prefight news confer- 0-1) said. “I know he’s a tall “I’m not concerned about
adapt much against Wallin my life was over. I thought ence and he seems to be southpaw, unbeaten and any of them,” Wilder said.
in what is basically a fight I’d never end up anywhere the happiest man in the looking to become the lin- “I’ve never met a man I
to keep Fury active — and but a padded room,” Fury room. eal champion of the world. couldn’t beat, and this is no
in the public eye — as he said. “And now I’ve gone Still, Fury-Wallin isn’t the They’re all just men with exception.”q
Ex-NFL player, doctor are arrested

in Georgia opioid case

By JEFF MARTIN tribution involving prescrip- associates allegedly sold
Associated Press tions that included power- these drugs in communities
ATLANTA (AP) — A former ful opioid painkillers, pros- like Cartersville,” Pak said.
NFL football player and ecutors said. The doctor accepted only
a Georgia doctor face Two other suspects also cash or checks for the
charges of illegally distrib- face charges. drugs, and Hodge then
uting prescription drugs, in- Hanson lives in the Atlanta sold them on the street for
cluding opioids. suburb of Brookhaven and cash, prosecutors wrote in
Former New Orleans Saints operated a weight loss clin- the indictment. The drugs
player Sedrick Hodge sold ic in nearby Sandy Springs. included oxycodone, hy-
oxycodone pills in Carters- He issued “numerous ille- drocodone, alprazolam
ville, Georgia, northwest gitimate prescriptions for and others, prosecutors
of Atlanta, federal pros- drugs, including powerful said.
ecutors said Wednesday. opioid painkillers,” U.S. At- Lawyers for Hodge didn’t
Hodge, 40, is accused of torney Byung J. Pak said in immediately respond
illegal distribution of con- a statement Wednesday. Wednesday to calls and
trolled substances, among “While Hanson prescribed emails requesting com- In this Sunday, Oct. 30, 2005 file photo, running back Ronnie
Brown (23) runs against New Orleans Saints linebacker Sedrick
other charges. these drugs without a le- ment. It wasn’t known Hodge (52) gives chase during the fourth quarter, in Baton
Dr. Victor Hanson, 86, faces gitimate medical purpose, whether the others have Rouge, La.
14 counts of illegal drug dis- Sedrick Hodge and other lawyers yet.q Associated Press