Lawrence Okolie, a former cruiserweight world champion, is keen on facing heavyweight giants Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk. However, he acknowledges that he may have to wait for his chance as both fighters are currently occupied with their own rematch plans.
Okolie, who is set to fight Lucasz Rozanski for the WBC bridgerweight title, discussed his aspirations in an interview with Sky Sports. He expressed his excitement about potentially stepping into the ring with Fury or Usyk, noting that such a match would not only be a significant career milestone but also a lucrative opportunity. He remarked, “I’d love to fight them because I’d get paid multi millions of pounds. It would be interesting going in as an underdog and seeing how I rise to that occasion.”
Despite his enthusiasm, Okolie is realistic about his immediate prospects. He understands that Fury and Usyk, who are expected to face each other again soon, might not be available for new challengers for some time. He explained, “I’m quite realistic in the fact that I don’t think I’ll box any of those guys. They’ve only got another year or so of boxing each other before they sail off.”
Given this situation, Okolie is preparing to focus on other top contenders in the heavyweight division. He mentioned names like Filip Hrgovic and Joseph Parker as potential opponents who could be at world level when the time is right. This strategic approach allows him to stay competitive and relevant in the boxing scene while waiting for a possible shot at Fury or Usyk.
In the meantime, Okolie’s upcoming fight against Rozanski is a crucial step as he eyes a future move to heavyweight. Winning the WBC bridgerweight title would enhance his credentials and bring him closer to the high-profile matches he desires.
Okolie’s patience and pragmatic outlook underscore his determination to ascend the heavyweight ranks and eventually secure a showdown with the top names in the sport.
