After recently announcing a move up in weights, Lawrence Okolie has now revealed that he has linked up with a new trainer that nobody would have predicted.
Okolie has been out of the ring since last year when he lost his WBO cruiserweight world title and was put on the canvas several times against Chris Billam-Smith at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth.
He first lifted the title when beating Nikodem Jezewski in 2020 and won by second round technical knockout after knocking the Polish fighter down three times.
He first took up the sport rather late as a means to lose weight and had a limited amateur career though did represent Team GB at the Rio Olympics in 2016 having first been inspired by Anthony Joshua at the 2012 Games in London just four years earlier.
The man in Okolie’s corner for that contest has been announced as former Trainer of the Year, Joe Gallagher. Gallagher has worked with the likes of Callum and Liam Smith, Natasha Jonas and Anthony Crolla and guided fighters to several world titles before now.
In a post on Instagram, Okolie revealed the move and seem to suggested it’s one he hopes will see him get back to his powerful best.
“@gallaghersboxinggym Bringing the KO back in Okolie 💥”
Tyson Fury was quick to comment and suggested it was a great move.
“great link up joe is probably the most successful active boxing trainer in uk!🇬🇧 🔥”
If the partnership gets off to a successful start will be revealed in May.