England-based Nigerian-born boxer, Lawrence Okolie has revealed that he is seriously planning on stepping up into the heavyweight class, as he believes he has a good chance of winning big among the upper echelon of renowned pugilists world, megasportsarena.com reports.
Although still an achievement hungry and anxious cruiserweight, Okolie disclosed that he was inspired by the opportunity he got to spar with fellow-British ace and former world champion, Tyson Fury, ahead of his first fight with America’s Deontay Wilder.
Okolie enthused that he enjoyed every moment of the experience leading up to Fury’s first fight, which ended in a draw with ‘The Bronze Bomber,’ and he is now thinking of doing it for real in the heavyweight class, despite the presence of many of his friends there already.
Having also been a frequent sparring partner of Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte, Okolie said he feels confident in the heavier cadre and never feels out his depth sparring heavyweight stars, hence his plan to make his mark in the top division eventually.
The European cruiserweight champion stressed that his long-term future lies at heavyweight category, but his first target is to challenge for a world title in his current category, with talks already underway for him to face Krzysztof Glowacki of Poland for the vacant World Boxing Organisation (WBO) belt.
Okolie told Sky Sports: “Definitely. If I’m able to accomplish what I want to accomplish this year, then maybe early next year I will move up. I’d look to potentially unify [the cruiserweight division] in the fight after, and solidify myself as a world champion this year. I feel comfortable.
“We’d have to see in an actual fight scenario but in sparring, with bigger head guards and bigger gloves, then athleticism is a bigger factor because you have to move in and out. One big shot isn’t as big of a factor. Obviously I punch reasonably hard and I’m strong so I never feel out of my depth with heavyweights.
“I’ve sparred top quality heavyweights and medium heavyweights. I feel comfortable. A lot of cruiserweights don’t want to spar me because either we’re going to fight or physically it is too imposing. The heavyweights are big, are able to soak up more damage and have pride when sparring me because [I’m in the division below].”
