‘The Sauce’ hopes to convey new taste to a Corridor of Fame promoter’s heavyweight secure.
Queensberry Promotions introduced the signing of former two-division titlist Lawrence Okolie. The rumored union was confirmed on Friday, with the 2016 Olympian wanting to show his price among the many sport’s deepest heavyweight secure.
Okolie has received titles at cruiserweight and—for individuals who have fun the division–bridgerweight. He gave up the latter WBC title to compete in boxing’s most storied division. It was a pure course of development to then align with legendary Corridor of Fame promoter Frank Warren.
“There is just one place,” insisted Okolie. “In case you are a heavyweight in Britain or the world, it’s the Warrens. They’ve received the very best up and coming heavyweights, the very best present heavyweights and the very best who’re on their manner out.
“So it’s the place to be, for me.”
Hackney’s Okolie beforehand fought beneath the Matchroom Boxing and BOXXER banners.
He received the WBO cruiserweight title beneath Matchroom and made three profitable defenses. One got here beneath BOXXER, as did his title-ending defeat to Chris Billam-Smith final Could.
Okolie resurfaced 53 weeks later to assert his subsequent crown. A primary-round knockout of Lukasz Rozanski noticed Okolie snatch the WBC bridgerweight title.
His reign was short-lived, because the 31-year previous opted to maneuver up in weight.
Warren has taken inventory within the heavyweight division over time. His rising roster contains former two-time lineal champ Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) and present IBF titlist Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs).
“I’m thrilled so as to add Lawrence to our burgeoning heavyweight ranks right here at Queensberry,” acknowledged Warren. “I totally count on him to extend our successes within the marquee division. Lawrence possesses all of the attributes to make a huge impact at heavyweight.
“He’ll relish being launched of the burden of reducing weight, permitting his pure expertise and energy to shine via. There are such a lot of thrilling fights and choices on the market for Lawrence and I’m so trying ahead to getting him began once more.”
The transfer has breathed new life into Okolie’s profession. His relationship with Matchroom ended on a bitter notice. Issues with BOXXER appeared to maneuver alongside properly however the alignment with Queensberry offers energy in numbers for Okolie.
“It has gone via totally different phases in my profession,” famous Okolie. “I wanted to discover a dwelling that might cater for this subsequent interval, proper to the tip of my profession, which is the heavyweight dream of being a three-weight world champion.”
