Lawrence Okolie

Last updated

Lawrence Okolie
Born (1992-12-16) 16 December 1992 (age 31)
Hackney, London England
Other namesThe Sauce
Statistics
Weight(s) Cruiserweight
Height6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Reach82+1⁄2 in (210 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights20
Wins19
Wins by KO14
Losses1

Lawrence Okolie (born 16 December 1992) is a British professional boxer who held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) cruiserweight title from 2021 to May 2023. At regional level, he held the Commonwealth title twice between 2018 and 2019; the British title from 2018 to 2019; and the European title in 2019.

Contents

As of July 2022, he is ranked as the world's second best active cruiserweight by The Ring magazine [1] third by the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board [2] and BoxRec. [3]

Okolie is a supporter of BoxWise, a UK-based non-profit social enterprise based around boxing. [4]

Early life

Okolie was born in Hackney, London to Nigerian parents of Igbo descent. He grew up in Stoke Newington and attended Stoke Newington School. While watching Anthony Joshua fighting in the 2012 Summer Olympics super heavyweight final, Okolie decided to take boxing seriously and set a goal to make the 2016 Olympics. [5]

Amateur career

He represented Team GB as a heavyweight at the 2016 Rio Olympics. [6] [7] He beat Igor Pawel Jakubowski from Poland on points and made it to the Round of 16, where he lost to eventual bronze medalist Erislandy Savón of Cuba.

Professional career

Early career

On 18 January 2017, Okolie announced his decision to turn professional, signing with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Sport to compete in the cruiserweight division.

His first professional fight took place at the Manchester Arena in Manchester on 25 March 2017. It was on the undercard for the Jorge Linares vs. Anthony Crolla lightweight world championship fight. His opponent was 33 year old Geoffrey Cave, who had a record of no wins and two losses. The fight lasted 20 seconds and ended after Okolie landed two right hooks to the head of Cave. The referee stopped the fight immediately. [8] [9] His next bout took place in Glasgow, Scotland at The SSE Hydro on 15 April as part of the undercard for the world Ricky Burns vs. Julius Indongo super lightweight unification fight. He fought 35 year old journeyman Lukasz Rusiewicz. [10] Okolie knocked Rusiewicz down twice in round one en route to a first-round stoppage. The time of stoppage was 2 minutes and 36 seconds. [11]

Okolie was scheduled to fight on the undercard of the mega heavyweight fight Anthony Joshua vs. Wladimir Klitschko on 29 April at the Wembley Stadium in London. [12] On 25 April, it was announced that he would fight Russell Henshaw (7–4, 2 KOs), who he was supposed to fight on his debut. [13] On the night, Okolie tweeted that he would no longer be fighting on the undercard. The reason for this was due to Wembley council having a curfew of 11:00pm and the main event was due to start at 10:00pm. The other fights on the undercard went longer than expected. [14] [15]

Okolie fought on the Kell Brook vs. Errol Spence Jr. IBF world title undercard at Bramall Lane in Sheffield on 27 May, defeating Rudolf Helesic in the first round. Helesic was knocked down twice prior to the stoppage. [16] On 1 July, Okolie recorded his fourth straight first-round stoppage win against Russell Henshaw. The fight was stopped after 2 minutes and 10 seconds into the round. [17]

It was announced that Okolie would appear on the NXTGEN card on 1 September 2017, at the York Hall in London. Other prospects on the card included Conor Benn and fellow Olympians Joshua Buatsi and Joe Cordina. [18] Okolie went the six-round distance for the first time in his career against Blaise Mendouo. He lost one round on the referee's scorecard, winning 59–54. Okolie was also taken past the first round for the first time in his professional career. In round four, Mendouo was dropped by a big right hand. Following the win, Okolie spoke to Sky Sports about going the distance, "It was useful to go the rounds, but was tough against an awkward opponent. It was a little bit scrappy, I couldn't get the rhythm of my opponent. I knew that this guy would be a lot more difficult than some of the other cruiserweight prospects." [19] Okolie next fought on 28 October on the Anthony Joshua vs. Carlos Takam undercard at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. His opponent was 36 year old Adam Williams. Okolie stopped Williams in the third round, extending his unbeaten record. [20]

Okolie vs Chamberlain

Okolie next fought on 13 December 2017, closing off his first year as a professional at the York Hall in London. His opponent was Antonio Sousa in a six-round bout. Starting off with a stiff jab, Okolie dropped Sousa twice in round one and twice in round two before the referee stepped in at 1 minute and 4 seconds. After the fight, speaking on rival Isaac Chamberlain, he said, "He and Ted Bami are two cowards! He's calling me his easiest fight, he's saying stuff online. Here's the fight in February, let's go." [21]

On 19 December, Sky Sports confirmed Okolie would fight Chamberlain on 3 February 2018 at The O2 Arena. The fighters had been calling each other out on social media over the months before the fight was finally signed. [22] In January 2018, the WBA sanctioned the fight for their vacant Continental cruiserweight title. [23] In front of 8,000 fans in attendance, Okolie scored a quick knockdown in the opening round, en route to a dominant one-sided unanimous decision (UD) win to capture the vacant WBA Continental title. In round two, after being warned a number of times, Chamberlain was docked a point for continuous holding. In round six, Okolie landed a right hand to Chamberlain, forcing his glove to touch the canvas for a second knockdown. Okolie also had a point deducted in round nine. After ten rounds, the judges scorecards read 98–89, 97–89 and 96–90 in favour of Okolie. After the fight, Okolie called out Welsh boxer Craig Kennedy (16–1, 8 KOs) for a fight on the Anthony Joshua vs. Joseph Parker undercard. [24] [25] The card averaged 230,000 viewers on Sky Sports. [26]

Okolie vs Watkins

On 16 April 2018, Commonwealth cruiserweight champion Luke Watkins (13–0, 9 KOs) called out Okolie for a fight in the future. [27] Nine days later, the Swindon Advertiser reported that Okolie's promoter, Eddie Hearn, had given the bout the green light to go ahead. [28] On 26 April, a deal had been agreed for the fight to take place on 6 June at the York Hall in London. [29] Okolie dropped Watkins twice on his way to a third-round stoppage victory. Referee Michael Alexander stopped the fight at 1 minute 40 seconds of the round. After the bout, Hearn stated the Commonwealth mandatory challenger, Wadi Camacho (20–7, 12 KOs), would likely be Okolie's only title defence before moving on to the British and European titles. [30] [31]

Okolie vs Askin

On 12 July 2018, the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) ordered for Matty Askin (23–3–1, 15 KOs) to make a mandatory defence of his British cruiserweight title against Okolie by the end of November 2018. A purse bid was set for 8 August. [32] On 7 August, Eddie Hearn announced the fight was confirmed and would take place on the Anthony Joshua vs. Alexander Povetkin undercard on 22 September at the Wembley Stadium in London on Sky Sports Box Office. Prior to the fight being made, Okolie vacated the Commonwealth cruiserweight title. [33] [34] In what was described as an 'ugly fight', Okolie defeated Askin via UD to claim the British cruiserweight title. The final scorecards read 116–110, 114–112 and 114–113 in Okolie's favour. Okolie lost a total of three points in fouls. During the middle rounds there was a lot of holding and wrestling. Okolie began using his head on the inside which resulted in him losing points. [35] [36] [37]

Okolie vs Ngabu

On 26 October 2019 Okolie fought Yves Ngabu, ranked #9 by the IBF, #12 by the WBO and #13 by the WBA at cruiserweight. Okolie won the fight via seventh-round TKO. [38]

WBO cruiserweight champion

Okolie vs Jeżewski, Głowacki

At the WBO federation convention in Tokyo in December 2019, it was decided that the Polish former two-time cruiserweight champion Krzysztof Głowacki would face Okolie for the vacant WBO cruiserweight title, and a bout between them was ordered. [39] They had been scheduled to face each other on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev on 12 December 2020, but the fight was postponed when Głowacki tested positive for COVID-19. [40] As a result, Okolie instead faced Nikodem Jeżewski, also from Poland, and he won via second-round technical knockout after dropping Jeżewski three times, winning the vacant WBO International cruiserweight title. [41]

The Okolie vs Głowacki world title bout was rescheduled for 20 March 2021, and was won by Okolie via sixth-round knockout. Glowacki was ranked #1 by the WBO and #3 by The Ring at cruiserweight. [42] He conveyed his happiness at winning his first world title in his post-fight interview, saying "Obviously I'm happy, I feel blessed... It's amazing to be able to put an exclamation mark on my life with a world title." Okolie also revealed that his promoter Eddie Hearn had made a deal with him, promising to buy him a watch if he succeeded in becoming a world champion: "Four or five years ago, Eddie Hearn saw a boy from Hackney and said 'if you win a world title, I'll buy you a gold Rolex Sky Dweller'. Now I want my Sky Dweller. And he said I'd get another one if I unify, too!" [43]

Okolie vs Prašović

Okolie made the first defence of his WBO cruiserweight title against WBO's #1 contender [44] Dilan Prašović on 25 September 2021 on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs. Oleksandr Usyk. [45] Okolie retained his title, winning by third-round knockout. [46]

Okolie vs Cieślak

It was announced on 7 January 2022, that Okolie would make his second WBO title defence against Michał Cieślak, who was at the time the #3 ranked WBO cruiserweight contender, on 27 February 2022. [47] Okolie was seen as the 1/9 favourite to retain his title, while bookmakers had Cieślak as the 9/2 underdog. [48] In a scrappy bout that featured a lot of grappling and rabbit punches, Okolie retained his world title with a unanimous decision victory, with judges' scorecards of 117–110, 116–111 and 115–112 in his favour. [49]

Okolie vs Billam-Smith

Okolie fought long-time friend Chris Billam-Smith at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth on 27 May 2023. The fight was marred by a succession of warnings and two points deducted for Okolie, for holding and grappling. Billam-Smith knocked Okolie down three times during the fight, and won a majority decision. Two judges scored the bout 116–107 and 115–108 in favour of Billam-Smith while the third judge scored it even at 112–112. [50]

WBC Bridgerweight championship

Okolie vs. Rozanski

On May 24, 2024 in Rzeszow, Poland, Okolie is scheduled to challenge Łukasz Różański for WBC bridgerweight title. [51]

Professional boxing record

20 fights19 wins1 loss
By knockout140
By decision51
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
20Loss19–1 Chris Billam-Smith MD1227 May 2023 Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, EnglandLost WBO cruiserweight title
19Win19–0 David Light UD1225 Mar 2023 AO Arena, Manchester, EnglandRetained WBO cruiserweight title
18Win18–0 Michał Cieślak UD1227 Feb 2022The O2 Arena, London, EnglandRetained WBO cruiserweight title
17Win17–0 Dilan Prašović KO3 (12), 1:57 25 Sep 2021 Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, EnglandRetained WBO cruiserweight title
16Win16–0 Krzysztof Głowacki TKO6 (12), 0:4620 Mar 2021The SSE Arena, London, EnglandWon vacant WBO cruiserweight title
15Win15–0Nikodem JeżewskiTKO2 (12), 1:45 12 Dec 2020 The SSE Arena, London, EnglandWon vacant WBO International cruiserweight title
14Win14–0 Yves Ngabu TKO7 (12), 2:28 26 Oct 2019 The O2 Arena, London, EnglandWon European cruiserweight title
13Win13–0Mariano Angel GudinoTKO7 (10), 2:59 20 Jul 2019 The O2 Arena, London, EnglandRetained WBA Continental cruiserweight title
12Win12–0 Wadi Camacho TKO4 (12), 2:0023 Mar 2019 Copper Box Arena, London, EnglandRetained British cruiserweight title;
Won Commonwealth cruiserweight title
11Win11–0Tamas LodiTKO3 (10), 1:132 Feb 2019The O2 Arena, London, EnglandRetained WBA Continental cruiserweight title
10Win10–0 Matty Askin UD12 22 Sep 2018 Wembley Stadium, London, EnglandWon British cruiserweight title
9Win9–0 Luke Watkins TKO3 (12), 1:406 Jun 2018York Hall, London, EnglandRetained WBA Continental cruiserweight title;
Won Commonwealth cruiserweight title
8Win8–0 Isaac Chamberlain UD103 Feb 2018The O2 Arena, London, EnglandWon vacant WBA Continental cruiserweight title
7Win7–0Antonio SousaTKO2 (6), 1:0413 Dec 2017York Hall, London, England
6Win6–0Adam WilliamsTKO3 (6), 2:30 28 Oct 2017 Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales
5Win5–0 Blaise Mendouo PTS61 Sep 2017 York Hall, London, England
4Win4–0Russell HenshawTKO1 (6), 2:101 Jul 2017 The O2 Arena, London, England
3Win3–0Rudolf HelesicTKO1 (4), 1:10 27 May 2017 Bramall Lane, Sheffield, England
2Win2–0Lukasz RusiewiczTKO1 (4), 2:3615 Apr 2017 The SSE Hydro, Glasgow, Scotland
1Win1–0Geoffrey CaveKO1 (4), 0:2025 Mar 2017 Manchester Arena, Manchester, England

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oleksandr Usyk</span> Ukrainian boxer (born 1987)

Oleksandr Oleksandrovych Usyk is a Ukrainian professional boxer. He has held multiple world championships in two weight classes, including the unified heavyweight titles since 2021, and the Ring magazine title since 2022. He has also held the International Boxing Organization (IBO) title since 2021. Previously, he held the undisputed cruiserweight championship from 2018 to 2019, being the first boxer in that division to hold all four major world titles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Bellew</span> English boxer (born 1982)

Anthony Lewis Bellew is an English former professional boxer who competed from 2007 to 2018, and has since worked as a boxing analyst and commentator. He held the WBC cruiserweight title from 2016 to 2017. At regional level, he held the British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight titles between 2010 and 2014, the European cruiserweight title from 2015 to 2016. As an amateur, he is a three-time ABA heavyweight champion. He portrayed antagonist boxer Ricky Conlan in the films Creed and Creed III.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andy Ruiz Jr.</span> American boxer (born 1989)

Andrés Ponce Ruiz Jr. is an American professional boxer. He is a former unified heavyweight world champion, having defeated Anthony Joshua to win the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO titles in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Joshua</span> British boxer (born 1989)

Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua is a British professional boxer. He is a two-time former unified world heavyweight champion, having held the World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Federation (IBF), and World Boxing Organization (WBO) titles twice between 2016 and 2021. He also held the International Boxing Organization (IBO) title twice during that reign. At regional level, he held the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles from 2015 to 2016.

Matthew Askin is a British former professional boxer who competed from 2008 to 2018. He held the British cruiserweight title from 2017 to 2018 and challenged once for the Commonwealth cruiserweight title in 2015.

Krzysztof Głowacki is a Polish professional boxer who has held the WBO junior-heavyweight title twice; from 2015 to 2016 and again in 2019. As an amateur, he won a bronze medal in the super-heavyweight division at the 2008 EU Championships. As of June 2020, he is ranked as the world's fourth best active cruiserweight by The Ring magazine and third by the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board and BoxRec.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mairis Briedis</span> Latvian boxer

Mairis Briedis is a Latvian professional boxer. He is a three-time cruiserweight world champion, having held the IBF and Ring titles from 2020 to 2022; the WBC title from 2017 to 2018; and the WBO title in 2019. Upon winning the WBC title in 2017, he became the first Latvian to hold a world boxing title. He was awarded the Order of the Three Stars in 2017. As a professional, he has fought world champions Oleksander Usyk, Marco Huck, Krzysztof Głowacki, Manuel Charr, and Yuniel Dorticos. As of November 2022, he is ranked as the world's third best active cruiserweight by The Ring magazine, BoxRec, and second by the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Light (boxer)</span> New Zealand amateur boxer

David Light is a New Zealand professional boxer. As an amateur, he competed in the men's heavyweight division at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow where he won the silver medal against Canada's Samir El-Mais. Professionally, Light is a former WBO World Crusierweight title contender, where he fought Lawrence Okolie in March 2023.

Dillian Whyte is a British professional boxer who has formerly competed as a kickboxer and mixed martial artist. He has held the WBC interim heavyweight title twice between 2019 and 2022. At regional level, he has held multiple heavyweight championships, including the British title from 2016 to 2017. As of October 2021, he is ranked as the world's fifth-best active heavyweight by The Ring magazine, and the fourth-best active heavyweight by the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board and BoxRec. He has been ranked among BoxRec's top 10 heavyweights since 2016, reaching his career-high ranking of No. 2 at the end of August 2021. His knockout-to-win percentage stands at 68%.

Conor Nigel Benn is a British professional boxer. He is the son of former two-division world champion of boxing, Nigel Benn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isaac Chamberlain</span> English boxer

Isaac Chamberlain is a British professional boxer. He has held the British and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles since October 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KSI vs. Logan Paul II</span> 2019 professional YouTube boxing match

KSI vs. Logan Paul II was a cruiserweight professional boxing match contested between English YouTuber KSI and American YouTuber Logan Paul. The bout was held on November 9, 2019, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. KSI defeated Paul via split decision, with two judges scoring the bout 56–55 and 57–54 in favour of KSI, and a third judge scoring the fight 56–55 in favour of Paul.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Viddal Riley</span> British boxer

Viddal Ethan Danso Riley is an English professional boxer, rapper and internet personality. He is the current English cruiserweight champion.

Chris Billam-Smith is an English professional boxer who has held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) cruiserweight title since 2023. At regional level, he held the European, British, and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles between 2019 and 2022.

Richard Riakporhe is a professional boxer who held the British cruiserweight title from 2019 to 2020.

Wadi Camacho is a Spanish-born British former professional boxer who competed from 2012 to 2019. He held the Commonwealth cruiserweight title from 2018 to 2019 and challenged for the British cruiserweight title in 2019.

Luke Watkins is an English professional boxer who held the Commonwealth cruiserweight title from 2017 to 2018.

Florian Marku is an Albanian professional boxer and former kickboxer and mixed martial artist.

Ellie Scotney is an English professional boxer. As an amateur, she won the 2017 ABA Championships and competed at the 2018 World Championships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk</span> Boxing competition

Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk, billed as The Perfect Storm, was a professional boxing match that was contested between WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, and former undisputed cruiserweight champion and the WBO's heavyweight mandatory challenger, Oleksandr Usyk. The bout took place on 25 September 2021 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Usyk winning by unanimous decision.

References

  1. ↑ "Ratings". The Ring . Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  2. ↑ "Rankings – Transnational Boxing Rankings Board" . Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  3. ↑ "BoxRec: Cruiserweight ratings". BoxRec . Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  4. ↑ Dennen, John (28 December 2021). "Boxwise - 'This is about helping the most vulnerable'". Boxing News. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  5. ↑ "A moment that changed me: I was unfit and flipping burgers when I decided to win the Olympics". The Guardian. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  6. ↑ "2016 Rio Olympics: Lawrence Okolie Qualifies". The Premium Herald. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  7. ↑ "Olympic boxing: Anthony Fowler qualifies for Rio 2016". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  8. ↑ "Lawrence Okolie Blows Out Debut Opponent In 20 Seconds – Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. 25 March 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  9. ↑ Boxing N Banter TV (27 March 2017), Explosive 20 second KO Lawrence Okolie vs Geoffrey Cave , retrieved 1 May 2017
  10. ↑ "Lawrence Okolie vs. Lukasz Rusiewicz Set For Burns-Indongo – Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. 14 April 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  11. ↑ March 15, 2017. "Lawrence Okolie stops Lukasz Rusiewicz inside the first round in Glasgow". Sky Sports. Retrieved 1 May 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ↑ "Anthony Joshua v Wladimir Klitschko: GB Olympians added to Wembley card". BBC Sport. 7 April 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  13. ↑ "Joshua-Klitschko: Lawrence Okolie To Face Russ Henshaw – Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. 25 April 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  14. ↑ "Lawrence Okolie WILL NOT Box On Joshua-Klitschko – Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. 29 April 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  15. ↑ Whaley, Len. "Bitter-sweet night for Okolie at Wembley Stadium". Newham Recorder. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  16. ↑ "Brook vs Spence Jr: Anthony Fowler, Lawrence Okolie, Joe Cordina remain unbeaten". Sky Sports. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  17. ↑ "Buglioni vs Summers: Lawrence Okolie claims a fourth straight knockout win in the first round". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  18. ↑ "NXTGEN: Joshua Buatsi, Lawrence Okolie and Joe Cordina feature on stacked London bill this Friday". Sky Sports. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  19. ↑ "NXTGEN: Lawrence Okolie goes the distance as he outpoints Blaise Mendouo". Sky Sports. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  20. ↑ "Joshua vs Takam: Lawrence Okolie claims destructive stoppage victory over Adam Williams". Sky Sports. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
  21. ↑ "Taylor vs McCaskill: Lawrence Okolie stops Antonio Sousa at York Hall". Sky Sports. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  22. ↑ "Okolie vs Chamberlain: Lawrence Okolie and Isaac Chamberlain to fight at O2 Arena on February 3". Sky Sports. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  23. ↑ "Okolie vs Chamberlain: WBA Continental cruiserweight title at stake". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  24. ↑ "Okolie vs Chamberlain: Lawrence Okolie completes dominant points win over Isaac Chamberlain". Sky Sports. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  25. ↑ "Okolie outpoints Chamberlain, fails to shine". ESPN. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  26. ↑ "Weekly top 10 programmes | BARB". www.barb.co.uk. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  27. ↑ "He'll ask nicely, but Luke Watkins wants a war with Lawrence Okolie – Boxing News". Boxing News. 16 April 2018. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  28. ↑ "Watkins secures Okolie fight". Swindon Advertiser. 25 April 2018. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  29. ↑ "Luke Watkins vs. Lawrence Okolie – Deal Agreed For The Fight". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  30. ↑ "Lawrence Okolie Blasts Out Luke Watkins, Adds Commonwealth". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  31. ↑ "Watkins vs Okolie: Lawrence Okolie claims Commonwealth title with knockout of Luke Watkins". Sky Sports. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  32. ↑ "Lawrence Okolie gets British title shot at champion Matty Askin | British Boxing News". britishboxingnews.co.uk. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  33. ↑ "Joshua vs Povetkin: Lawrence Okolie challenges Matty Askin for British title at Wembley Stadium". Sky Sports. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  34. ↑ "Matty Askin vs. Lawrence Okolie Set For Joshua-Poevtkin". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  35. ↑ "Lawrence Okolie Decisions Matty Askin in Very Ugly Fight". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  36. ↑ "Joshua vs Povetkin: Lawrence Okolie claims British belt after ugly points win over Matty Askin". Sky Sports. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  37. ↑ "Campbell earns title fight; Okolie wins U.K. belt". ESPN. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  38. ↑ "Ngabu vs Okolie – News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  39. ↑ Donovan, Jake (5 December 2019). "Glowacki-Okolie: WBO To Order Vacant Cruiserweight Title Fight". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  40. ↑ "Joshua vs Pulev: Lawrence Okolie fight off as Krzysztof Glowacki tests positive for Covid-19". Sky Sports. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  41. ↑ Lewis, Ron (12 December 2020). "Lawrence Okolie Destroys Nikodem Jezewski in Two Rounds". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  42. ↑ "Okolie vs Glowacki – News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  43. ↑ "Lawrence Okolie vs. Krzysztof Glowacki: Okolie wins his first world title in emphatic fashion | DAZN News UK". DAZN. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  44. ↑ "Okolie vs Prasovic – News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  45. ↑ "Lawrence Okolie vs. Dilan Prasovic added to Sept.25th Joshua – Usyk card, Callum Smith possible ⋆ Boxing News 24". Boxing News 24. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  46. ↑ "Okolie smashes Prasovic in three". Fightnews.com. 25 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  47. ↑ O'Hara, Ryan (7 January 2022). "Lawrence Okolie to defend WBO cruiser title against Michal Cieslak on February 27". ringtv.com. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  48. ↑ Gorrie, Jonathan (27 February 2022). "Okolie vs Cieslak: Fight time, undercard, prediction, odds and more". www.standard.co.uk. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  49. ↑ "Okolie retains world title on points". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  50. ↑ "Billam-Smith dethrones Okolie to win world title". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  51. ↑ Iskenderov, Parviz (22 March 2024). "Lawrence Okolie challenges Lukasz Rozanski in May in Poland". FIGHTMAG.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Maxim Vlasov 		WBA Continental (Europe)
cruiserweight champion
3 February 2018 – 2020
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Chris Billam-Smith
Preceded by Commonwealth
cruiserweight champion
6 June 2018 – 2 August 2018
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Wadi Camacho
Preceded by British
cruiserweight champion
22 September 2018 – 12 September 2019
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Richard Riakporhe
Preceded by
Wadi Camacho
 Commonwealth
cruiserweight champion
23 March 2019 – 12 September 2019
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Chris Billam-Smith
Preceded by European
cruiserweight champion
26 October 2019 – December 2019
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Tommy McCarthy
Vacant
Title last held by
Artur Mann 		WBO International
cruiserweight champion
12 December 2020 – 20 March 2021
Won world title		Vacant
World boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Mairis Briedis 		WBO cruiserweight champion
20 March 2021 – 27 May 2023		Succeeded by
Chris Billam-Smith
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.