Two of Britain’s best prospects clash in an unusual main event this weekend at London’s 02 Arena.
Unusual because they are both young, undefeated, and barely out of the novice category, yet this match has caused enough appeal to warrant headline status on a Matchroom promotion televised by Sky Sports.
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There is certainly plenty bad blood between the two London cruiserweights Isaac Chamberlain and Lawrence Okolie, who between them have a grand total of just 16 fights. Okolie just 15 professional rounds under his belt, yet this has really caught the public’s imagination.
Two very different young men, with different styles but both massively confident they can overcome the other. Okolie, 25 was an excellent amateur, Chamberlain more rounded and experienced as a pro, but neither really know what it’s like in the lion’s den when their facing someone with the same desire as themselves till now.
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There has been plenty of trash talk in the press and on social media but inside I get the feeling they both know this is a major challenge and have worked really hard in the build up. Chamberlain taking himself off to Ukraine to spar world number one Oleksandr Usyk which is impressive indeed.
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Okolie at 6 foot 5 tall carries the advantages physically with height, reach and power with only 2 of his 7 opponents making it past round 2. But Chamberlain still just 23 years old has had the better opposition showing guts winning a 10 round decision over experienced Wadi Camacho with a badly injured shoulder.
This fight is probably coming too early in the careers of both men but its a fight they both badly wanted, and as promoter Eddie Hearn was quick to point out this week, the loser can rebuild again as did James DeGale after his early loss to big rival George Groves.
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So two forces collide in what I think could be short and sweet and highly entertaining as both start with a game plan until one is hit on the chin. Then expect the proverbial wheels to come off in a shootout of who lands first which I think could be the tall powerful Okolie to gain his first major win with London bragging rights to go back to Hackney.
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