Ben Shalom Reveals What Could Be Next for Lawrence Okolie
Lawrence Okolie (19-1, 14 KOs) was last seen in the ring when he lost in an all-out brawl against Chris Billam-Smith. Following that loss, it now seems Okolie is edging closer to a return, with Ben Shalom revealing a move up in weight, and a potential world title shot could be next for “The Sauce.”
Lawrence Okolie Options Revealed
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Lawrence Okolie Could Move Up in Weight
BOXXER promoter Shalom has revealed to Sky Sports that they are eying new challenges for Okolie: “I think we’re going to look to move up to heavyweight or fight immediately for a world title at bridgerweight.“
“The Sauce” lost his WBO strap at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth and has not boxed since, but could possibly return into a bridgerweight title bout.
Shalom spoke on the importance for Okolie to move up in weight: “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.”
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He continued: “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.”
Hear Dan Rafael’s interview with Ben Shalom off the “Fight Freaks Unite Podcast,” by clicking below,
Commanding Attention
Shalom explained how a move up in weight will command attention for Okolie: “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.”
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He added: “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.”
