At the start of 2024, we all have a clear image of Lawrence Okolie, only this image keeps changing, distorting, and growing. As time passes
In January, we still remember the Okolie as a cruiser. It is long and slender. But these physical advantages are hindered quite a bit when they are improved. We remember his lies about Chris Billam Smith, to whom he vacated his WBO belt, and feared it would be difficult for Okolie now. Both from that work and from before. To be promoted in both short sports. patience and understanding
Then we heard he was working with Manchester champion trainer Joe Gallagher. And he plans to reinvent himself in a new weight class: bridgerweight. The division, 24 pounds from the cruiserweight division, is still in its infancy and therefore lacks depth, but for Okolie it really matters. is what is represented It is a new beginning and an opportunity to present a different image to the world.
Moreover, In addition to weighing 223 pounds for his first fight in the bridgerweight division, Okolie also looks amazing at her new weight. By being able to stop Lukasz Rosanski won in the first round of the fight in Poland. Suddenly, within minutes, Well, we have a new image of Okolie. He’s bigger. Yes, that’s what we gleaned from the weigh-in, but on fight night, Okolie will show the image of his fulfilled potential. One thing he had always mocked. But to this day it struggles to deliver.
Six months later, we have another version of Okolie. This one is bigger and now calls itself heavyweight.
Some who saw him weigh in said he was fat and too heavy at 260 pounds, but Okolie looked as good as ever on fight night. This time he stopped Hussein Muhamed, a 6’5 German, in round one, and did it in first gear. Indeed, the ease with which he defeated his first heavyweight opponent made it impossible for those watching the demolition. Figure out if nothing makes sense right now or vice versa. everything sensible
“When Lawrence came to me and talked about the bridgerweight division. I thought it was perfect and great,” Okolie coach Joe Gallagher said. “He weighs in at 16 stone and I want to see how he performs at that weight,” he said, always saying he is worn out as a cruiserweight. And that caused him to gain weight.
“He made the bridgerweight division and went into the ring with Rosanski at about 16 stone 12 (236 pounds) in that gym. His total practice was about 16 stone or 17 stone, I think. Wow, he’s holding his weight really well.–
“He fought Rozanski and he looked exciting, he was tall, he was straight and his shot selection was good. He shows good agility.
“Then You look at Oleksandr Usyk, who weighed 16 stone in his Tyson Fury fight (in December), and you remind yourself that there are big heavyweights and small heavyweights.
“He really did everything he could at bridgerweight. There was talk of fighting for unity but that didn’t happen. So we looked at how he played 17 stone against Rosanski. and decided he should move up.
“For his first fight. I wanted an opponent of considerable weight – an 18 stone man. I wanted someone tall. And his final opponent (Hussein Muhamed) checked those boxes. He is a good amateur. He’s a good fighter, can take a punch, and he brings fear with him.
“Before that battle I showed Lawrence Lennox. Lewis is a lot. I showed him his fights with (Andrew) Golota and (Donovan) ‘Razer’ Ruddock. I wanted him to see how he handled them. With a good jab and that, that’s the plan for that.”
Okolie’s growth over the past 12 months makes for an interesting case study. Twice the man he was in many ways, his reinvention from the start was a balancing act. Increasing weight has never been an exact science in boxing. Some people, though, need to put on extra weight to function optimally. But for some it only serves to slow down and reduce their ability to see and respond to danger.
For Okolie, 21-1 (16), signs so far suggest he’s a bigger fighter, really, but better.
“His work on the field continues. His work in the gym continues, his training continues and he is a very strong kid,” Gallagher said. “Playing a track at 17 stone and then at 18 stone in a weighted vest. He still does, it’s true, he doesn’t hit it the same time. But it’s not five or ten seconds shorter than in the past. They are one or two people, and the effort, energy, and recovery are still there. And his fist was still there. I’m really satisfied with him.
“People criticized him for getting bigger. And I’ve even seen pros tear him up. You’d think they’d know better. Look at Tyson Fury. Look at Larry Holmes. Not everyone has a beautiful body.”
Of course, Okolie’s move to heavyweight was about releasing the belt and taking away the pain of making weight. Commercial and financial decisions are also considered decisions. In the end It’s the heavyweight division. More than the Bridger model Okolie stands to make the kind of money any boxer hopes to make during a year of great boxing. In the heavyweight division, the 32-year-old suddenly found himself surrounded by talented, big-name opponents. All of whom are equally eager to fight for profits in the Middle East.
“We are looking for a big fight in April,” Gallagher confirmed. “We also look at how the heavyweight division plays out. We are looking at Fabio. Where would Wardley go with the WBA and Moses Itao with the WBO? Everyone is positioned when those positions become available. Or even when there is a temporary belt.
“Lawrence Okolie is in a very good position with the WBC, I think we will have to fight away from him and become mandatory challengers with them. So we’re looking for a good fight in April with that in mind. Another fight for him to challenge, we’ve talked about (Deontay) Wilder, we’ve talked about Joe Joyce, we’re looking at those types of opponents – names that are likely to attack us and create. A slight fear factor as well.”
If Okolie passes what is likely his first real test as a top-level heavyweight in April. The plan was for the Londoner to submit his bid for a shot at the world heavyweight title. As it is now It’s most likely the WBC version, but there are others as well, and Gallagher knows this strange business as well as anyone. It is expected to be free for everyone in the second half of 2025.
“One hundred percent,” he said when asked if Okolie would fight for the belt this year. “Maybe Usyk and (Daniel) Dubois will have a big unification fight in August or September. We will see what happens with the world championship belt.” In the meantime, the sanctioning body will be flexing its muscles as usual. and pressure the champion to defend himself. That might lead to the ramifications of it all. You have to be in that position to win the championship belt. And that’s what we’re focusing on right now.
“I think we’re going to see an era where you (Tim) Witherspoon, (James) ‘Bonecrusher’ Smith and Tony Tucker were champions. They all chop and shift and can beat each other every night. Back then, no one could hold on to the belt for very long. And I think we’re headed in that direction again.”
He might be right. Because if history tells us that the heavyweight division is like boxing reinvented, Appearance may change from time to time. But it’s basically still the same.
