How to watch Lawrence Okolie vs Michal Cieslak
'The Sauce' defends WBO world title for a second time
BBN have provided viewers with all the details needed to tune in and watch Londoner Lawrence Okolie (17-0, 14KOs) face once-beaten Pole Michal Cieslak (21-1, 15KOs).
Date
The fight takes place on a rare Sunday night on February 27, 2022.
Time
The event begins at 5:15pm, then the main card starts at 7pm, with the main event due approximately 10pm.
Venue
It takes place at the O2 Arena in London, despite the storm damage suffered during the weekend before.
Rounds scheduled
12 three-minute championship rounds at cruiserweight (200lbs).
Titles
Okolie's WBO World cruiserweight title is on the line.
Ringwalks
The ring walks are expected from around 10pm UK time, but that will depend on the undercard results.
TV & Live Stream
The action starts on 'Before the Bell' at 5:15pm on the Matchroom Boxing YouTube channel
You can watch via the DAZN App, from 7pm, which can be streamed via phone, tablet, PlayStation, XBox, or smart TV.
BBN will be providing LIVE round-by-round results on fight night HERE
Price
DAZN subscription costs £7.99 per month.
Tickets
Tickets are priced from £40, available via StubHub HERE
Undercard Highlights
Dave Coldwell-trained Jordan Gill (26-1-1, 7KOs) will be stepping up to challenge for the European featherweight title against Karim Guerfi (30-5, 9KOs).
That's not the only highlight, however, as Anthony Fowler will be making his debut at middleweight, and exciting Commonwealth and Olympic Games gold medallist Galal Yafai will be making his highly anticipated professional debut, going straight into a championship fight against tough Mexican Carlos Vado Bautista (10-4-0, 3KOs) for the vacant WBC International flyweight title.
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Background
Hackney's Lawrence 'The Sauce' Okolie defends his WBO belt for a second time since winning the world title in March last year. He has now spent an entire year as champion is looking to make a statement to the the other titleholders with his performance this coming Sunday night.
The Central European challenger, Michal Cieslak, has just one loss in 22 bouts, which was to long-reigning WBC champ Ilunga Makabu. Now 32, he was 19-0 when he challenged the Congolese fighter for the vacant WBC bauble which he lost via unanimous decision. He has since put together two wins on the spin against decent opposition to land his second shot at the championship.
Things you didn’t know about Lawrence Okolie
Quotes
Lawrence Okolie: “I believe on paper this could be one of the hardest fights. Until you actually get in the ring, you never know what someone’s got. Watching Cieslak’s fights, he’s a very good technical boxer. He’s got some power and good speed. All in all, it poses to be a very good challenging fight.
“I believe I’m going to go on to unify the division. One of the main things that we focus on and try to keep fit is mindset. So I’m making sure that we practice the mind, practice the body, put yourself in interesting situations and hold yourself accountable. I’m ready for this. This is a stage that I was made for. This is a fight I was made for.
“As soon as a fight is made, Cieslak is the only thing I think of. I’ve got a picture of him in my room. I watched all of his interviews. I don’t understand any of them but I like to watch his mannerisms. I’ve watched all of his fights. I know him and that’s what I focus on. Michael Cieslak. After that, we can talk about everyone else.”
Michal Cieslak: “It’s surely a big fight for Polish boxing, I can’t wait to actually attend the fight. I’m training very hard, and I can’t wait to fight.
“He’s a very strong fighter and he punches with both hands, he’s very strong physically. I just have to do my work, all the training I’ve done with my coach, that’s what I’m going to bring to the ring.
“If I wasn’t sure I was going to win, I wouldn’t be here, I’ve been training since I was 13 so I’m ready to get the WBO Title.”
Predictions
Tim Rickson, BBN Editor: “I have already given my prediction to Lawrence when I spoke to him last and told him I think it'll end via first-round knockout! I hope this comes true, but if it doesn't, I believe it'll be a fast stoppage anyway from Okolie. Cieslak may have gone 12-rounds with Makabu but I think he'll walk onto an early big shot from Okolie who will finish him off clinically.”
World Rankings
Okolie: WBO Champion / TBRB #1 / Ring #3 / BoxRec #5
Cieslak: WBO #2 / TBRB #6 / Ring #8 / BoxRec #10
Betting Odds
1/10 Okolie
5/1 Cieslak
21/1 Draw
Weights
Check back after midday on Saturday.
Running Order
John Hedges vs Aleksander Nagolski
6×3 Light-Heavyweight Contest
Cheavon Clarke vs TBA
6×3 Cruiserweight Contest
Campbell Hatton vs Joe Ducker
6×3 Lightweight Contest
Demsey McKean vs Ariel Esteban Bracamonte
8×3 Heavyweight contest
Fabio Wardley vs TBA
10×3 Heavyweight contest
Anthony Fowler vs Lukasz Maciec
10×3 Middleweight Contest
Galal Yafai vs Carlos Vado Bautista
10×3 WBC International Flyweight Title
Karim Guerfi vs Jordan Gill
12×3 European Featherweight Title
Main Event:
Lawrence Okolie vs Michal Cieslak
12×3 WBO Cruiserweight World Title
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