For quite some time, it has been anticipated that Lawrence Okolie would eventually move up from cruiserweight and pursue wealth and triumph in another weight division. However, it would have come as a surprise to many that he would choose bridgerweight as his new weight class.
However, Okolie will be facing local fighter Lukasz Rozanski in Poland on May 24th for the WBC bridgerweight belt.
If Okolie emerges victorious, he will undoubtedly achieve the status of a two-weight world champion, holding both the WBC bridgerweight belt and the WBO belt he previously earned as a cruiserweight. However, the anticipation surrounding Okolie’s ascent to a higher division and pursuit of a second world title was primarily focused on the heavyweight category, which boasts a rich history and fierce competition, unlike the comparatively limited options in bridgerweight.
However, for Okolie, with a record of 19-1 (14), this decision could be a strategic one. He had difficulties facing Chris Billam-Smith last year, resulting in his dethronement in Bournemouth. Unfortunately, a rematch with Billam-Smith seems unlikely as Billam-Smith is set to fight Richard Riakporhe, whom he has history with. As a result, Okolie is left with the option of transitioning to the heavyweight division. This move would not only involve facing larger opponents but also some of the most formidable fighters in the world.
Okolie will have better opportunities for victories and a readily available championship belt at bridgerweight, which requires boxers to weigh between 200 and 224 pounds. However, this doesn’t guarantee that he will earn a significant amount of money or gain substantial recognition for winning this specific belt. Nevertheless, considering it as a stepping stone towards making bigger decisions, such as returning to cruiserweight or progressing to heavyweight, it is difficult to be overly critical of this move.
Despite not being a world-class boxer, Lukasz Rozanski has managed to secure victory in 15 consecutive fights. Recently, he effortlessly defeated both Artur Szpilka and Alen Babic in just one round. While these accomplishments may appear impressive on promotional materials, it is important to note that Rozanski is 38 years old and has never competed in boxing outside of Poland.
