BoxRec

LAWRENCE OKOLIE VS. KEVIN LERENA ADDED TO USYK-DUBOIS II CARD, LAPIN-EDMONDSON ALSO ON BILL

Lawrence Okolie will take on Kevin Lerena on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois' undisputed heavyweight world championship clash at Wembley Stadium on July 19, it's been confirmed.

Okolie (21-1, 16 KOs) hasn't been in action since an easy 1st-round knockout win over Hussein Muhamed last December.

The former cruiserweight and bridgerweight world champion was supposed to take on Richard Riakporhe on April 5 but pulled out of the bout with an injury sustained in training camp.

But now he's back against awkward southpaw Lerena (31-3, 15 KOs), who is best known for dropping current IBF heavyweight champion Dubois three times before being controversially stopped in the 3rd round when they fought in December 2022.

Lerena has also been in with Justis Huni previously, losing by decision on the undercard of Anthony Joshua-Francis Ngannou in March 2024.

The fight represents a step up in competition for Okolie at heavyweight, where he is the current No. 1 contender with the WBC.

The Londoner has been vocal about his intentions of fighting current 'interim' titleholder Agit Kabayel at some point this year, and a win over Lerena will put him in good stead for a clash with the German.

Elsewhere on the Usyk-Dubois bill, it's been announced that British and commonwealth light heavyweight champion Lewis Edmondson will take on Ukrainian Daniel Lapin.

Lapin has regularly fought Usyk's undercards since September 2021 when the current Ring, WBA, WBC, WBO heavyweight champion took on and beat Anthony Joshua at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

He was also on both Usyk-Tyson Fury cards in May and December 2024, the latter of which he beat Dylan Colin on by 10-round decision.

Two fights confirmed.

Bet that increases the PPV buys

tony1234 wrote: ↑11 Jun 2025, 11:21 Bet that increases the PPV buys

That’ll put bums on seats

the new non-cruiserweight Okolie is a non-hugging, human wrecking ball!

Lerena has troubled Dubois and Huni. could be fun. feeling very optimistic today.

Have you ever heard boxers talk about Lerena? I've heard his name mentioned a couple of times & they love him. I'm talking about socially.

he is pretty sexy tbf

I hope the PPV cost has been discounted after Okolie has been added to the bill

Why wasn't the Richard Riakporhe fight rescheduled? Way better then this fight

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑11 Jun 2025, 12:51 he is pretty sexy tbf

No, that's Okolie.

I'm talking about Lerena.

Okolie is the first British heavyweight in a long time that has said he wants to fight Kabayal. If he gets Lerena out of the way, Agit is the fight he wants next - can't wait for that.

Forget about Okolie the cruiserweight. The tethers are off him at heavyweight and he's a monster. Him versus Kabayal will be mint.

Jimmy2025 wrote: ↑12 Jun 2025, 13:31 Okolie is the first British heavyweight in a long time that has said he wants to fight Kabayal. If he gets Lerena out of the way, Agit is the fight he wants next - can't wait for that.

Forget about Okolie the cruiserweight. The tethers are off him at heavyweight and he's a monster. Him versus Kabayal will be mint.

Because nobody pays to see Okolie fight anyone that's not a big name or exciting. Of course he's going to want to pick the exciting Interim WBC champion.

joshj909 wrote: ↑12 Jun 2025, 14:06

Jimmy2025 wrote: ↑12 Jun 2025, 13:31 Okolie is the first British heavyweight in a long time that has said he wants to fight Kabayal. If he gets Lerena out of the way, Agit is the fight he wants next - can't wait for that.

Forget about Okolie the cruiserweight. The tethers are off him at heavyweight and he's a monster. Him versus Kabayal will be mint.

Because nobody pays to see Okolie fight anyone that's not a big name or exciting. Of course he's going to want to pick the exciting Interim WBC champion.

Fair comment. Give him a chance at heavyweight, though, not many he won't beat fairly easily.

Jimmy2025 wrote: ↑12 Jun 2025, 14:41
Fair comment. Give him a chance at heavyweight, though, not many he won't beat fairly easily.

I agree. Not sure how far he'll go but I think the Heavy Okolie will have a lot more energy than the weight drained version. He had no right being at Cruiser all those years.

hes 33 and his last relevant fight he was bounced off the canvas by billam smith, get a move on at least if he's that good

Jimmy2025 wrote: ↑12 Jun 2025, 13:31 Okolie is the first British heavyweight in a long time that has said he wants to fight Kabayal. If he gets Lerena out of the way, Agit is the fight he wants next - can't wait for that.

Forget about Okolie the cruiserweight. The tethers are off him at heavyweight and he's a monster. Him versus Kabayal will be mint.

I can say I want to fight Sonny Liston . We all know it's not gonna happen . He talking Kabayel . He.s fighting Lerena but no matter who he.ll still stink the place out . Can't even understand why promoters use him

coneye wrote: ↑18 Jun 2025, 08:43

Jimmy2025 wrote: ↑12 Jun 2025, 13:31 Okolie is the first British heavyweight in a long time that has said he wants to fight Kabayal. If he gets Lerena out of the way, Agit is the fight he wants next - can't wait for that.

Forget about Okolie the cruiserweight. The tethers are off him at heavyweight and he's a monster. Him versus Kabayal will be mint.

I can say I want to fight Sonny Liston . We all know it's not gonna happen . He talking Kabayel . He.s fighting Lerena but no matter who he.ll still stink the place out . Can't even understand why promoters use him

We'll see. Under Gallagher with an extra 3 stone plus on his frame (the weight he should always have been), I think he'll light almost everyone he fights up. Not many will go to points. I've seen very few heavyweights naturally as big as Lawrence.

So did he dislocate his shoulder then?

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑20 Jul 2025, 18:41 So did he dislocate his shoulder then?

Or is it an excuse for another lacklustre performance

larry is a decent puncher but surprised to see the amount of talk ive seen that he's now like some wilder at hw, sure didnt show it the other night

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑20 Jul 2025, 18:41 So did he dislocate his shoulder then?

Torn bicep early in the fight

https://x.com/Queensberry/status/194685 ... GJeIw&s=19

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑20 Jul 2025, 18:41 So did he dislocate his shoulder then?

Torn bicep

https://x.com/Queensberry/status/194685 ... qoO4A&s=19