Lawrence Okolie wants to win the WBO cruiserweight title with a flourish next weekend before moving on to unification fights.
The unbeaten Hackney man faces former title holder Krzysztof Glowacki (31-2, 19 KOs) for the vacant WBO crown at the SSE Arena, Wembley, on March 20, keen to score a headline-grabbing KO and announce his arrival at the top of the 200lbs division.
Londoner Okolie (15-0, 12 KOs) was supposed to meet Glowacki on the Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev undercard in December but the Pole was forced to withdraw after a positive Covid-19 test. In his absence, Okolie made light work of replacement Nikodem Jezewski in two rounds.
Victory next week will mark an improbable shift of fortunes for Okolie who was drifting in life five years ago before rising to prominence as a Team GB representative at the Rio Olympics.
“Five years ago I was in Hackney and had no real plan or idea,” said Okolie. “I was boxing but I wasn’t on the GB team and I’d never had an international fight. I was just boxing and working. Five years down the line I’ve become a Team GB boxer, gone to the Olympics, turned pro and won all of these titles. Now I’m fighting for a world title.
“It feels like it’s going to be a massive statement winning this fight, not just for me but for the area that I come from, the type of person that I am and people that have dealt with bullying. I’m not here to be a hero or anything like that but I’ve had to deal with a lot of stuff, and a lot of people can relate to those kinds of struggles. It’s nice to know that people are motivated by it.
“It will be entertaining for fans because there’s going to be someone trying to really put it on me. I believe I’m going to win by stoppage. I’m just excited to watch the highlights of the fight afterwards to see what shot I did it with. This is his opportunity to win what he believes is his title back. He can be as strong as he likes against whoever he’s boxed so far but there’s no physical chance he’s stronger than me.
“Although he’s got a lot of attributes, I can’t see any of them working against me. I think he’ll be confident. He’s a game guy and probably thinks it’s my first time at world level. One of my main attributes is my mental toughness. I have the ability to cope with any fight. I look forward to it.
“This has been a long time coming. It’s been a year since I knew that I was mandatory for the world title. I’ve been mentally preparing for this for a year. We’ve had to deal with lockdowns and now I’m excited to get it over and done with, get the victory and become a world champion. Physically I’m getting into my prime now. Mentally, I’ve dealt with the excitement of the occasion. Now it’s just a formality.
“If, god willing, I’m able to win here, I need a unification fight next. It’s about pushing on every time. I won the Commonwealth and pushed on, I won the British and pushed on, I won the European and I pushed on. After I win the world title, I want to unify and move up to heavyweight. It’s all there, it just keeps me motivated in the gym and pushing for more.”
Main image: Matchroom Boxing.