Lawrence Okolie Moving To Heavyweight in 2021

[Ruthless-RKO]

EBU cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie could see himself moving up to the heavyweight division in 2021.

Okolie has often sparred with heavyweight and says he "never feels out his depth" when trading punches with the most dangerous men in the division.

There are ongoing negotiations for Okolie to face dangerous Krzysztof Glowacki for the vacant WBO cruiserweight belt.

Okolie would like to capture a world title in 2020, and then secure a unification fight with one of the other champions.

If those things happen, then he could see a move to heavyweight taking place at some point in 2021.

"Definitely. If I'm able to accomplish what I want to accomplish this year, then maybe early next year I will move up," Okolie told Sky Sports.

"I'd look to potentially unify [the cruiserweight division] in the fight after, and solidify myself as a world champion this year."

Okolie has sparred often with IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO world champion Anthony Joshua, and he's also been used as a sparring partner by Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte.

Fury used Okolie as a sparring partner for the first bout with WBC champion Deontay Wilder. He would like to use him again for the rematch, but Okolie's schedule may rule him out from that opportunity.

"I feel comfortable," Okolie said. "We'd have to see in an actual fight scenario but in sparring, with bigger headguards and bigger gloves, then athleticism is a bigger factor because you have to move in and out. One big shot isn't as big of a factor.

"Obviously I punch reasonably hard and I'm strong so I never feel out of my depth with heavyweights. I've sparred top quality heavyweights and medium heavyweights. I feel comfortable. A lot of cruiserweights don't want to spar me because either we're going to fight or physically it is too imposing. The heavyweights are big, are able to soak up more damage and have pride when sparring me because [I'm in the division below]."

[Stuarty]

No he can bore us at 2 weights

[Ruthless-RKO]

No he can bore us at 2 weights

He won't be able to cuddle those guys..

[Stuarty]

No he can bore us at 2 weights

He won't be able to cuddle those guys..

Hopefully. Watching him is like pulling teeth man!

[Gnome]

I for one can't wait for Okolie v Kingpin.

[jameswilson]

So much of his game plan seems down to pushing opponents back in the clinches. Sometimes he’s almost scrummaging guys backwards like it’s rugby.

Stick him in with a 245lber and let’s see how that goes.

[samwbr]

Glowacki, Breidis and Dorticos all beat him.

[Stuarty]

I for one can't wait for Okolie v Kingpin.

That's a cure for insomnia right there

[Stuarty]

Glowacki, Breidis and Dorticos all beat him.

Isn't he supposed to be fighting Glowacki next up? Could've swore i read that somewhere...

[cormack]

imagine him fighting chisora ...

[samwbr]

Glowacki, Breidis and Dorticos all beat him.

Isn't he supposed to be fighting Glowacki next up? Could've swore i read that somewhere...

It keeps getting mentioned. Tough sell over here as a headliner and I doubt Hearn wants him fighting away against such a dangerous oppo just yet.

[rd350lc]

Will light up the otherwise boring heavyweight scene

[KiwiRider]

I for one can't wait for Okolie v Kingpin.

And after that, put him in with Huggie Fury.

[skanksta]

I don’t think it’ll work.

He’s just too skinny.

[black panther]

Would be fun to see Okto-Okolie
Try to hug a big hw then get splattered but he should get beat by the best at CW if he actuly fights thenm

[blanca]

Zzzz one attempt at a punch then hold, repeat and rinse, boxing aids

[TheGman]

Probably the most boring fighter in the world today

[margaret thatcher]

For me the most boring high level fighter of recent years might be Miguel Vasquez. Imagine Okolie but without any power.

[DrDuke]

Whatever. Hopefully he gets KTFOed at any weight.

[Verdi]

Probably the most boring fighter in the world today

Imagine him Vs Hughie Fury. I can see this fight being made as well.

[TheGman]

Probably the most boring fighter in the world today

Imagine him Vs Hughie Fury. I can see this fight being made as well.

No sleeping pills needed haha

[milpool]

He needs to achieve something at crusier before he starts talking of moving up. In any case, he'll get slaughtered at heavyweight.

[KiwiRider]

I don’t think it’ll work.

He’s just too skinny.

He can pack on the muscle. Look at AJ as an Am, just as skinny.

[brilo33]

I don’t think it’ll work.

He’s just too skinny.

He can pack on the muscle. Look at AJ as an Am, just as skinny.

yea he is perfect to bang on weight , i think he could be big as he is long, but boxing wise cant say iam excited about it

[samwbr]

He was a heavyweight when he worked at McDonald's