Lawrence Okolie discusses how he would approach a fight with Deontay Wilder, should it ever happen
Likeable Londoner Lawrence Okolie spoke to Betway about fighting Deontay Wilder at bridgerweight and how he believes that contest could go.
The reigning WBC bridgerweight champion, Lawrence Okolie (20-1, 15KO), will defend his green and gold belt to the Interim champion, Kevin Lerena (30-3, 14KO), on a date yet to be agreed.
Without looking past his mandatory duties, the 31-year-old Okolie from Hackney previewed a fight between himself and the ‘Bronze Bomber’.
Would you welcome Deontay Wilder next at bridgerweight?
Okolie: “It would be fantastic. I think he will perform well at the weight because I think the majority of the fights he has lost lately have been because the fighters are just too big. When he is boxing the likes of Tyson Fury who outweighs him by 30,40 or 50 pounds, the same as Zheili Zhang, then it’s like that explosive power is not the same.
“If you’re 102kg and you’re fighting someone 108kg man then it’s not so bad but if you’re fighting someone at 118kg or 120kg, then the weight is going to show a little bit because the punches get soaked up a little bit more.
“I think it would be a great fight and he’ll always have what leaves people late and that’s his punching power and the name – Deontay Wilder. If I’m boxing Wilder, no matter what I say, I’m going to be a little bit apprehensive and think, ‘okay let’s see what his power is like’. I think it’s a great fight.”
How would you fight Deontay Wilder?
Okolie: “Scarily, I would have to go and get him because he’s a little bit taller than me and might have a little bit longer reach.
“I would have to be either be too far distanced for him to land and then be able to cover the distance well enough to get my shots off, and then rinse and repeat.
“It’s a mix between what Tyson Fury and Joseph Parker did. I don’t have the length or style of Fury, and I don’t have the short stocky way that Parker went for him so it’s a sort of like a hybrid between the two where you have a boxing match which I’m definitely a better mover and together boxer than he is.
“However, he is still very athletic so he can jump out of the way of danger and jump into it back quickly, so I have to be switched on defensively and when it’s time to attack, I have to attack.
“Hopefully with the youth, and being very strong for my weight, I am enjoying my time at bridgerweight so when it gets to the middle rounds with his age and the damage, he has taken over the years, we can hopefully get the stoppage in the middle rounds.”
Do you think Deontay Wilder is past his prime now?
Okolie: “Yes, of course. There are not many fighters who get to 38 years old and are better than they were at 28, something I’m very aware of. I’ve still got my career and I’m 31 now. I don’t expect to be hanging around for that long but for these guys, it’s all they know and it’s their bread and butter.
“They believe they can still keep going and as I said, if I’m boxing Wilder then it’ll still be a hard night’s work because he’s got long, strong punching power and is an explosive mover. He’s always got a point to prove and a chip on his shoulder. Do I think he is past his best? Yes. But he’s still dangerous and has been a world heavyweight champion.”
How many fights do you have left at bridgerweight?
Okolie: “I would say it depends on what happens. If a big heavyweight fight came up, then that’s the end of my bridgerweight days. Right now, I still have to make the weight so I would do it to maintain the world title and see if there are opportunities against the others. I’m not overlooking Kevin Lerena, but anyone would look at that and say there’s a big opportunity to fight against the likes of Wilder for the WBC title at bridgerweight.
“I’d take it but if not then I could move up to heavyweight in the next fight or the one after this. As much as I love being world champion, I’ve done it twice, have had a few defences and with this one, hopefully I get the first defence out of the way and then let’s have some heavyweight fights before it’s too late. I’m 31 now and I probably want to keep going on for a few more years [but] not too much longer so let’s do the biggest and best fights to see how good I really am.”