Otto Wallin was close to leaving after Skoglund's brain injury

It was during a sparring session at home in Nyköping that Erik Skoglund began to feel ill and was taken to hospital by ambulance.

There he was operated on for cerebral haemorrhage and was put in a medical coma for almost two weeks before he was awakened and began his tough road back to a normal life.

The incident affected his friend Otto Wallin.

- I remember it hit me hard. It was difficult and became a real thinker, says Wallin.

A few months later, in April 2018, he defeated Adrian "Gäddan" Garnet and showed that he was Sweden's foremost heavyweight.

Victory was his biggest career - but there were other thoughts besides the joy.

- For a while I was really thinking about quitting. What happened to Erik affected me a lot.

Why did you choose to continue?

- Because boxing has given me so much and despite the risks, I think it's worth it. Nobody forces me to box but I do it because it's fun.

Otto Wallin has been knocked out once in his career, in the Olympic qualifiers in 2012. Afterwards he got in touch with brain scientist Sanna Neselius who did a spinal cord test.

- It took four months before my brain was completely healed, he says.

- After the knock, I was unconscious for about ten seconds, but already the next day everything was calm and I exercised a little lightly. Had I not done the survey I would probably have started saving again after a month.

After twelve rounds against world star Tyson Fury in September, Wallin told his team that he did not want to box anything more in 2019.

- Then I was not even knocked, but you have to be careful. I told them I didn't want to save before New Year either. I want to be sure that everything is good and try to have great respect for the risks.