Despite only recently moving up the heavyweight division, Lawrence Okolie has wasted no time in calling his new rivals out.
Now he has revealed his intentions to fight none other than Anthony Joshua.
His first fight in the heavyweight division is set to take place on the next ‘Magnificent 7’ card on Saturday December 7th.
The man known as ‘The Sauce’ has not only moved up divisions, he has also switched promotions.
Okolie has penned a deal with Frank Warren and Queensbury, which significantly means that he is part of a blockbuster stable of heavyweights.
Speaking to Daily Star he said, “I will be bringing big performances at heavyweight.”
He spoke about his struggle cutting weight during his cruiserweight time and has suggested that now at heavyweight he will not need long to adapt to his new division.
“In my early cruiserweight days before I was draining myself, I was putting on knockout performances 9 times out of 10 but then it started to fade as we went on. From the spars I’ve had with heavyweights, I know I can do it. I want to show this explosive power. I think talking about it is one thing but it is about doing it.”
Okolie has been an observer of Anthony Joshua throughout his whole career and whilst he was working at McDonald’s he watched ‘AJ’ become an Olympic gold medalist in 2012.
“My whole life has been about the next step,” he added. “When I was working at McDonald’s it was about getting to the Olympics, then when I did that it was becoming world champion.
Moreover, he has said that he has no issue fighting Anthony Joshua and he is happy to fight anyone to achieve his dream of becoming world heavyweight champion.
“Now my aim is to be world heavyweight champion. I want that next year.”
Okolie is certainly not shy when it comes to his aspirations and he understands that in a packed division he has to take opportunities when they come.
Anthony Joshua no longer is set to rematch Daniel Dubois next, therefore a fight with Okolie may well be on the cards.
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