Ex-champ Lawrence Okolie is finally leaving the cruiserweight class behind
Former WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie has looked below par in recent fights, losing his world title and failing to dominate opponents in the fashion that his fans are used to.
Now, as ‘The Sauce’ aims to get back on track, he has made the decision to call time on life at cruiserweight.
Okolie conceded his world title to former teammate Chris Billam-Smith in a majority-decision defeat in Bournemouth, just two months after a poor display against David Light.
Then there were talks that Okolie would rematch Billam-Smith, yet it appears as though he and his team have opted against the activation of their rematch clause in favour of a move to a higher weight.
In an interview with Boxing Scene, BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom revealed that he has been told of Okolie’s difficulties to make 200lbs in the past and blamed the 31-year-olds’ recent performances on those troubles at the weight.
“They told me that it has been tough for them to make cruiserweight in the last three fights.
“They also think the cruiserweight limit has affected his performance massively, which has not allowed him to be the same fighter.
“Lawrence has a huge opportunity coming up at a higher weight and his dream was to end up at heavyweight. He is a 6’5” guy, so even making cruiserweight like he did was always tough.
“When you get to those stages of your career and making weight is affecting your performances and health that much, he had to move up. We should have news [this] week for a summer fight. He wants to have a good [competitive] fight and prove himself again.”
Shalom and Okolie had flirted with the idea of a move to bridgerweight in the past, but it now seems that the former Team GB star will debut at heavyweight in a few months’ time.