Lawrence Okolie believes he will probably be reinvigorated by a transfer into the brand new bridgerweight division and finally boxing at heavyweight.
On Could 24 in Poland, reside on Sky Sports activities, Okolie will problem holder Lukasz Rozanski for the WBC’s new 224lb title.
Ultimately he intends to marketing campaign at heavyweight and he’s focusing on a struggle with fellow Londoner Dillian Whyte.
“Dillian Whyte’s now again,” Okolie instructed Sky Sports activities. “Clearly everybody is aware of from again once I was Commonwealth and British champion I wished that struggle in order that’s undoubtedly one on my radar. Exterior of that we’ll see what the panorama seems to be like.
“I have been wanting on the heavyweights and seeing how a lot enjoyable they have been having up there. I wish to have a go as nicely.”
Okolie has beforehand shared the ring with the world’s high heavyweights in sparring.
He helped Tyson Fury and Joseph Parker each put together for his or her breakout performances towards Deontay Wilder and he is additionally sparred Anthony Joshua and Joe Joyce amongst others.
He’s satisfied he can carry out on the highest degree and the previous WBO cruiserweight world champion believes he can unlock his full potential at a brand new weight with new coach Joe Gallagher.
Chris Billam-Smith despatched the hometown crowd wild as he delivered Lawrence Okolie’s first knockdown of his skilled profession.
“It is come on the proper time. New weight class, new power, new coach. I am able to take the bridgerweight then heavyweight scene by storm,” he declared.
Okolie has been coaching with Gallagher in Saudi Arabia and the Champs Camp fitness center in Moss Facet.
“He put me by means of session after session after session simply the worst form. What he mentioned to me afterwards was: ‘I simply wished to see should you actually wished it nonetheless.’ I do, in order that’s good,” Okolie laughed.
The Londoner believes successful the bridgerweight belt may lead him to a rematch with Chris Billam-Smith who defeated him final Could to develop into the WBO cruiserweight champion: “Him and Riakporhe have a struggle. Clearly the winner of that, it is an ideal struggle [for Okolie].
“Whichever considered one of them wins out of that one, I am up for,” he continued. “Clearly I might choose Chris to win as a result of then we are able to have a rematch at bridgerweight. I am positive they will be up for that.”
However first he should defeat Rozanski in Poland on Could 24. “The man’s good,” Okolie mentioned. ” Undefeated, 90 one thing % KO ratio, I’ll his hometown.
“It is a exhausting activity however I’ll go in there and smash it and smash him.”
Do not miss Fabio Wardley vs Frazer Clarke reside on Sky Sports activities on Sunday March 31.
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