Lawrence Okolie will become a world champion at heavyweight, says trainer Joe Gallagher | 'It's a matter of time'
Lawrence Okolie intends to fight Agit Kabayel for the WBC's Interim strap and then enforce a mandatory shot at Oleksandr Usyk's full WBC world championship; Trainer Joe Gallagher insists Okolie is gunning for the "boogeyman" of the heavyweight division: "No reason why it can't happen"
Friday 20 February 2026 10:34, UK
Lawrence Okolie can become a heavyweight world champion, insists trainer Joe Gallagher.
Okolie intends to fight Agit Kabayel for the WBC's Interim strap and then enforce a mandatory shot at Oleksandr Usyk's full WBC world championship.
A former world titlist at cruiserweight and also in the new, lightly regarded bridgerweight division, Okolie is the WBC's No 1 ranked contender at heavyweight.
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Gallagher is convinced that should put the Hackney fighter in the frame to take on Kabayel.
"I don't see no reason why it can't happen and it should happen. Lawrence Okolie versus Kabayel for the WBC Interim or, if Usyk gets stripped, for the WBC world title. That's what we want," Gallagher told Sky Sports.
"We're saying he's no boogeyman because we're willing to fight him.
"We want that fight," the trainer continued. "I don't think he can run no more. Lawrence will fight in Germany. Lawrence is not bothered, he'll fight here, there, anywhere.
"That's a fight we'll want and I'm hugely confident that we'll beat the boogeyman of the heavyweight division, so-called."
He would like to see that fight take place in April or May. Frank Warren, who promotes both Kabayel and Okolie, likes that match-up.
Warren told Sky Sports: "It'd be a great fight for [Kabayel]. [Okolie] is a good fighter, he's a quality fighter and he's settled down in the heavyweight division. He's up for a big fight."
If he can beat Kabayel, winning the WBC's Interim belt would see him become the eventual mandatory challenger for the full world title. Usyk has been granted permission by the WBC to make a voluntary defence of the title, but then he will have to face his mandatory.
"Usyk, if he does have this [voluntary] fight, whoever he fights against, after that he's going to have to defend against Agit or if he doesn't defend he'll have to vacate his belt," Warren said. "Simple as that."
Okolie has had messy fights at cruiserweight and been widely criticised for clinching too often. But he's filled into heavyweight and scored an impressive win over Kevin Lerena last year.
Gallagher is convinced that Okolie is equipped to eventually become a world champion at heavyweight.
"I think if he's given the opportunity and given good notice and a proper camp, I think he will," the trainer said. "I think it's a matter of time."
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