Hackney cruiserweight Lawrence Okolie steps into the ring against another undefeated fighter when he takes on the Commonwealth champion Swindon’s Luke ‘The Duke’ Watkins in an excellent fight on Wednesday, June 6th at the small hall mecca of boxing, the York Hall in Bethnal Green.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjUtrIzlN-f/?taken-by=lawrence_tko
This is an obvious reflection of the faith promoter Eddie Hearn has in the 6’5 Rio Olympian, who has had only eight bouts and completed just 25 rounds as a professional boxer.
He comes off his best win, a dominant if slightly dull one-sided showing over Brixton’s Isaac Chamberlain at the O2 Arena in February.
This fight represents a risk however as the champion Watkins is strong, mature and is a solid puncher and comes full of confidence having stopped his last four opponents, the last two of them in Commonwealth title bouts.
No risk no return appears to be Okolie’s refreshing outlook as he puts his undefeated record on the line. His top quality sparring with big heavyweights like Anthony Joshua and leading amateur Frazier Clarke give him massive advantages in the cruiserweight division.
Styles make fights and the aggressive style of Watkins should be made to order for Okolie who is my pick to stop Watkins in impressive style and throw the gauntlet down to British champion Matty Askins.