Former WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie will return aiming to reclaim a world title; he could fight in a higher division and potentially look to box in the new bridgerweight category on his way to heavyweight, reveals BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom
Tuesday 13 February 2024 10:45, UK
Lawrence Okolie will return looking to reclaim a world title.
The former WBO cruiserweight champion is considering a move up in weight, BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom has told Sky Sports.
In a wild fight last year Okolie lost his title to Chris Billam-Smith at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth.
He hasn't boxed since that contest in May, but potentially could still return in world title fight.
"I think we're going to look to move up to heavyweight or fight immediately for a world title at bridgerweight," BOXXER's Ben Shalom told Sky Sports.
After an unconvincing outing against David Light and then defeat to Billam-Smith, a move up in weight could be just what Okolie needs, suggests Shalom.
"The reason his performances haven't been at the level he was used to is, I do think, the weight, as a 6'6 guy. This is personal opinion, and especially at that top level, [that] was getting in the way of his very best performances," the promoter explained.
"I think he's looking very seriously at the heavyweight division, possibly bridgerweight first and I think that's where we're going to see Lawrence in the latter stages of his career.
"He's a really talented fighter and so I just think the story hasn't even begun for Lawrence Okolie. Cast your mind back to cruiserweights Oleksandr Usyk and David Haye and people that have really made their legacy in the heavyweight division.
"He's a lot bigger than those guys. His frame's a lot bigger, he's had to work extremely hard to do what he's done in the cruiserweight division and sometimes fighters don't talk about the struggles they go through.
"The Lawrence Okolie story is just about to begin and I think it's going to be at a weight division that suits where he's at."
Making that move, Shalom believes, will command attention.
"He's still a huge name, he's still a huge personality. There aren't many boxers who can walk down the street and people know who they are and Lawrence is one of them," the promoter said.
"Whatever people may say about his last couple of performances he's a big name, he's a big personality, he's a big talent.
"There are not many big names in British boxing that are still coming through. That's why the world is at his feet. I know that might be hard to see when you lose your world title.
"But when you're performing not at your best and you're working that hard to make the weight, you might look back and say you know what it was a blessing in disguise.
"He can really let the shackles off and go again."
You can now start receiving messages and alerts for the latest breaking sports news, analysis, in-depth features and videos from our dedicated WhatsApp channel!