Craig Kennedy unimpressed by 'arrogant' Lawrence Okolie, accepts Cardiff fight offer
"He got booed badly in London, I can only imagine how hostile it will be in Wales for him"
Monday 5 February 2018 20:37, UK
Craig Kennedy is confident that he has little to worry about if he gets a "dream opportunity" to take on Lawrence Okolie in Cardiff on the Anthony Joshua-Joseph Parker undercard.
The Cardiff cruiserweight, who has just one defeat in a 17-fight career, was a keen spectator when Okolie took on and convincingly beat bitter London rival Isaac Chamberlain at London's O2 on Saturday.
They're rushing him along and, at some point, we all need a wake-up call. I will take him on next month with open arms.
Kennedy, 32, concedes that the former Rio 2016 Olympian does have "God-given" power but, other than that, is still very raw and is being rushed along too quickly.
"I watched the fight knowing I could be in line to face the winner and fair play for them both taking it, but it was very poor and I wasn't impressed," 'The Kid' exclusively told Sky Sports.
"Okolie was falling in and smothering his work, keen on knocking him out, while Chamberlain was keen on grabbing and had nothing to answer. Size proved to be the decisive factor.
"I'll take his strongest weapons away from him and exploit them. I'll be a lot bigger and stronger than Chamberlain, I'm a lot more seasoned.
"As soon as the fight finished, I rang my manager and told him I wanted the fight. To be part of a historic Anthony Joshua undercard in Cardiff would be a dream come true - I would love the opportunity.
"He got booed badly in London so I can only imagine how bad and hostile it will be for him in Cardiff. Even people from his hometown are asking me when I'm going to give him a spanking. Still though, it's only me and him in the ring, no one else.
"He's still raw and has an awful lot to learn. In 18 months' time he will take some stopping, but, right now, he will have trouble with Britain's best cruiserweights and my experience will prove the difference."
When asked about his thoughts of Okolie as a person, Kennedy admitted that the Londoner comes across as arrogant and is in need of a wake-up call.
"I've never come across Lawrence before but I know enough about him, I've been watching him since his career started and he's had an amazing platform," he said.
"From what I've seen, he's a bit of a show-off and surely he can't be as arrogant as he makes himself out to be. He comes across as not a very nice guy. It's boxing and it sells so if he wants to be the baddy of the sport, so be it. I'm just me and won't play up for anyone.
"They're rushing him along and at some point, we all need a wake-up call. I will take him on next month with open arms."
