Error code: %{errorCode}

Boxing

Lawrence Okolie explains move up to bridgerweight

Lawrence Okolie explains move up to bridgerweightGetty
He revealed the factor driving the decision.

Lawrence Okolie fights Lukasz Rozansk on May 24 to challenge the Polish contender for his WBC bridgerweight championship, after previously operating at cruiserweight.

The Briton was the WBO champion at the old weight until last May, when he lost to Chris Billam-Smith.

That led him to recalibrate his plans, and speaking to Betway, he revealed that he no longer felt able to make weight.

He said: “I’m still there having to make weight again, but I don’t think I could physically make cruiserweight again so it’s good to have extra pounds to eat and put the work in for training and focus on boxing as opposed to constantly making weight.

“I do need to switch on for these last few weeks though because it’s close, so I need to watch what I’m eating but it’s nowhere near as bad as when I was at cruiserweight though for 9 or 10 weeks of having to be on it and making the weight. I don’t need to do that now.

“I feel good sparring wise but for what this fight is going to be, I am going to be ready for. I feel that it’s going to be a war and as much as I say I want to box and do this, that, and the other, I am realising that sometimes it doesn’t work like that, and you have to be ready to put your foot on the gas and earn the right to box. 

“I think stylistically with this fight I have to establish myself and at some point in the fight, it has to be a knockout. Lukasz Rozanski has to start really fast and all of his fights have been over within four rounds so he needs to go for it in the first four to six rounds to really try and impose himself in the fight early because if he doesn’t then I have done 12 rounds several times and have got late knockouts in me and am conditioned for 12 rounds so he will get unstuck in the later rounds.”

Check your region for the Saudi Pro League on DAZN

Watch on YouTube