Boxing experts provide their predictions on who wins Lawrence Okolie vs Jack Massey cruiserweight clash
Londoner Lawrence Okolie (12-0) will defend his British and Commonwealth Cruiserweight titles against Derbyshire's 'One Smack' Jack Massey (16-0) at the Manchester Arena on Saturday July 6, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
BBN asked their panel of experts for their take on the desirable domestic dust-up:
Robbie Davies Jr
British and Commonwealth super-lightweight champion
"I don't really know a lot on Jack Massey, but I believe Okolie's size and power is too much for any British level opponent to handle.
I'd say it'll end with an Okolie KO."
Luke Campbell
Olympic gold medallist & World title contender
"Lawrence Okolie KO within six rounds."
Kieran Gething
Welsh Area super-lightweight champion
"I can’t see anything other than Okolie win, he has polarised opinions on my timeline but I believe he’s got what it takes to go to the top and possibly even be a good champion!"
Steve Wood
Promoter, VIP Promotions
"I would have fancied Massey but feel his inactivity and lack of decent quality opposition will let him down in this one, he can whack so has always got a puncher's chance but I see him being stopped around the eighth round mark in this one."
Ryan Walsh
British featherweight champion
"Okolie on points, he has a very awkward style, he uses his size & style very well. I expect him to win a ugly fight the okolie way!"
Ryan Clark
Co-Founder of Buymyfight.com
"I think Jack Massey’s style could be too much for Okolie here. Okolie is a very awkward, dangerous, rangey fighter but Massey is sharp and can also hit with venom. If he can get under the jab he will do damage from the body up and possibly land that important blow to get the stoppage.
As a betting man that’s where my money will be on this one even though the bookies are likely to favour an Okolie win."
Francy Luzoho
Irish super-lightweight
"Definitely Lawrence Okolie to win this by the way of knockout in the mid-rounds like the fifth or sixth."
Tim Rickson
Sports Agent
"I really rate Jack Massey and he's been calling for this fight for some time now, so he will be going into this bout with the utmost confidence in his abilities.
I'm not a big fan of Okolie, but his power and size and his awkward style makes trouble for everyone he goes up against. I think he has a style which you can try to prepare for but never really know how difficult it is until you're in there with him. So, I guess what I mean to say is that he's got a style which you just can't prepare for!
Massey has to get past Okolie's rangey jab to try to land one of his KO blows, but I'm not sure he'll manage to.
I think Okolie wins but I'll be rooting for Massey."
Johnny Edwards
Head coach at Guildford City Gym
"Jack Massey is a great fighter, I remember him from the amateurs, a very solid fighter. As a professional, Lawrence Okolie is a totally deferent boxer with a unique, unorthodox style and Jack may struggle with his style and no sparring partners are available to be like Lawrence so I think it ends in a points win for Okolie, but Jack could land a bomb at any time.
My verdict is Lawrence Okolie wide points victory. Looking forward to this one."
Dean Bedford
Sports Agent
"Can only see this going one way – Okolie KO.
In my opinion, Okolie is way past British level and should be fighting at World Level. His style isn't for everyone but it's effective and his punching power is one of the best in the division.
Can't see this going past the fouth round. Okolie KO."
Lawrence Okolie to defend British and Commonwealth titles against Jack Massey