Lawrence Okolie’s Redemption Quest in Pursuit of WBC Bridgerweight Glory

Former WBO cruiserweight world champion Lawrence Okolie (19-1, 14 KOs) will be returning to the ring for the first time since his sole professional defeat to Chris Billam-Smith. Okolie‘s return will see him move up to bridgerweight to challenge the WBC champion Lukasz Rozanski (15-0, 14 KOs) live on Sky Sports on Friday, May 24. Ahead of his next fight, “The Sauce” has spoken to Sky Sports about this latest opportunity.

Lawrence Okolie Next Fight: Ready to Challenge Lukasz Rozanski

Lawrence Okolie Next Fight vs. Rozanski

Okolie will travel to Rozanski’s homeland to fight the unbeaten WBC bridgerweight champion at the Hala na Podpromiu, Rzeszow. The Hackney-born fighter will be looking to take out the big punching Pole and create history, winning another world title in a new weight class.

Speaking on his desire to win another world title, Okolie said: “At this point it would mean everything,” Okolie told Sky Sports. “Winning and losing a world title, I can see the difference so I want it and I want it bad. He continued: “I would say (he’s more motivated than ever). If I’m going to be brutally honest then definitely.”

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The 31-year-old Londoner also spoke about the need to remind everyone of his qualities: “Even the other team, for them to make this fight and they’re probably feeling really confident, I have to show them too. I’ve got to remind a lot of people what I’ve done and what I’m capable of and what I’ve got left in the tank.”

Okolie then discussed travelling to Poland and the importance of erasing the loss to Billam-Smith: “It’s one of the main reasons I wanted it,” said Okolie. “I’ve got the experience that didn’t go how I wanted it to in Bournemouth, but valuable experience.” He continued: “It will be a sell-out at this place.

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“It’s given me that extra ‘I’m going to smash him in front of his own fans’ so we’re nine short weeks away and then I’ll get it done.”

The challenger added: “I always go for the hardest fights and go for world titles so this was the opportunity for another world title and to become a two-weight world champion, so who am I to say no?”

Okolie vs. Billam-Smith at Bridgerweight?

Billams-Smith will seemingly fight his old foe Richard Riakporhe next, with Okolie hinting at a rematch at bridgerweight: “I think Chris is also another quite big cruiserweight so there’s probably an opportunity for us to box at bridgerweight after I’ve won this belt.

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“It’s not something I’m desperately chasing, we all know I activated the rematch clause and for one reason or another it never happened.

“My career doesn’t hang on a rematch, but it would be nice to avenge my only loss.”