Lawrence Okolie picked the perfect time to deliver his best performance as a professional, putting forth a perfect showing before stopping Krzysztof Głowacki in round six to pick up the vacant WBO cruiserweight title.
Post-fight, Okolie made it clear he did not intend to waste any time in his attempt to unify the entire division — and with a step up to heavyweight also in his long-term goals, that means going straight for the division's current best, Muhammad Ali Trophy winner Mairis Briedis.
On the latest episode of 'Jabs' on DAZN, Chris Mannix and Sergio Mora found themselves in disagreement over whether Okolie — whose performances prior to dominating Glowacki seldom set the world on fire — is ready for Briedis now or if he should build up to the showdown.
Mora, a former world champion himself and a staunch advocate of fighters not rushing through the levels too soon, offered the expected answer.
"No, not yet," was the verdict from 'The Latin Snake'. "But I like the way he thinks.
"Okolie has jumped strides since 2018 vs. Matty Askin. Back then he didn’t know how to fight on the inside but he looked sensational against Glowacki, though Glowacki was coming off a knockout loss. Okolie looked great but I just don’t think he’s ready for the best cruiserweight in the world in Mairis Briedis.
"And what’s the rush? Let him get another fight, maybe two, defend the championship, build your brand, but until then, slow down."
Mannix, meanwhile, admitted he understands the Londoner's urgency."I think Briedis is very good," he said. "The only defeat of his career was a razor-thin decision to Oleksandr Usyk, who is one of the top pound-for-pound in the world.
"That said, the World Boxing Super Series tournament that Briedis won was different to the tournament that Usyk won. I think Usyk’s one was a lot tougher. There were still a lot of tough fighters in Briedis’ field, but I don’t look at the fact that Mairis is the WBSS winner in the same way that I did when Usyk did it. So I give Okolie a chance against Briedis.
"We’ve seen Lawrence showcase not only power, but skills I didn’t see from him three or four fights ago. I think he can give Briedis a fight from a skills perspective, and then eventually Briedis will show his face and receive something from one of the biggest punchers at cruiserweight right now.
"It’s not a guarantee Okolie would beat Briedis — he would probably even be the underdog — but I think Okolie is ready for that type of fight. And because he has his eye on moving up to heavyweight, he’s gonna want it soon.
"I know you like to see fighters marinate, Sergio, and only take on big tests when they’re in their 30s, but if he wants the fight right now, he should take it right now. There is a clock on his time at cruiserweight. It isn’t a mismatch."
Mora then added: "Well I disagree with you and I think Okolie’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, would disagree with you too.
"He did look great, and he’s a world champion now. Why not just defend that belt and make your name? Briedis is a tricky fighter, he knows how to get on the inside and he’s a high-IQ fighter. That’s why Usyk struggled with him, he struggled with his timing, and Okolie may have the size, reach and power but the timing will get him.
"At least one more fight for Okolie, and then he may be ready for Briedis."
Watch the latest episode of 'Jabs', in which Mannix and Mora also debate the next step for exciting rising stars Ryan Garcia and Jaime Munguia, with a DAZN subscription.