Lawrence Okolie, the former cruiserweight world champion, is making a bold statement in the heavyweight division. Having previously held the WBC title at bridgerweight – their newly established 224lb weight class – Okolie’s ascent is nothing short of remarkable. Currently ranked No. 5 with the WBC, he’s on the cusp of a major title opportunity.
This Saturday’s bout against Hussein Muhamed is crucial. A victory would propel Okolie towards a highly anticipated clash. His sights are set on the winner of the Zhilei Zhang vs. Agit Kabayel fight for the WBC Interim title, or perhaps a showdown with fellow Briton Fabio Wardley. The ultimate goal? A world championship fight. The WBC belt, along with the WBO and WBA titles, will be fiercely contested when Tyson Fury faces Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch on December 21st.
“There’s no denying my No. 5 ranking and the opportunities it presents for world title fights at heavyweight,” Okolie told Sky Sports. “Winning a world title is my primary objective, and I believe a fight with Fabio is only a couple of bouts away. If I win this weekend, everything falls into place. It’s just a matter of getting my first heavyweight fight under my belt.”
The transition to heavyweight is a significant challenge, yet Okolie views it as achievable. He strategically assesses his path: “By the time I win this fight, I might be No. 3. Joseph Parker has pursued the IBF title, and Fury and Usyk will have fought. The path is clear. I’m going to quietly work my way up to a WBC world title shot, and we’ll see what happens from there. To finish my career with a heavyweight world title would be incredible, undeniable.”
His strategic positioning is key. He’ll be a contender when Usyk and Fury battle for the unified WBC, WBO, and WBA world heavyweight titles later this month. Having sparred with Fury, Okolie possesses unique insight into the former champion’s fighting style. He believes Fury will reclaim his title.
“Sparring Fury was all about adaptation,” Okolie explained. “He’s a massive guy with a diverse arsenal. He can box from a distance, walk you down, or use his weight to his advantage. If he gets a hold of you and leans on you, it’s immense pressure.”
“He’s incredibly talented, which can sometimes be a drawback. He might get lost in his options instead of focusing on one strategy, which I think happened in the last fight. I predict Fury will win the rematch. I think he has more to give. The last fight was incredibly close, but Usyk was flawless, as always. If Fury improves his focus and aggression, he’ll likely win, potentially by stoppage.”
Don’t miss Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury II live on Sky Sports Box Office on December 21st. Okolie’s journey is a compelling narrative within this heavyweight battle, a testament to his ambition and strategic planning. The heavyweight division is certainly about to get a lot more interesting.
