Lawrence Okolie vows to indicate he’s a category above Lukasz Rozanski as he prepares to embrace a hostile ambiance whereas difficult for the WBC Bridgerweight world title in Poland on Friday evening.
The previous WBO Cruiserweight world titleholder takes on Rozanski within the champion’s hometown of Rzesow. Okolie says he is anticipating a “hostile” reception when he arrives on the Podprommie Enviornment.
“I’m coming there to beat their guy,” Okolie instructed Sky Sports activities.
“I’m expecting it to be very hostile but I’ll just blank it out. If anything, this particular fight is going to fuel me, especially the way I feel like I need to and want to fight.”
Rozanski boasts a formidable document of 14 knockouts from his 15 wins. His most up-to-date victory noticed him be named WBC world champion after knocking out Alen Babic within the first spherical. Nonetheless, Okolie believes their bout will likely be a step up for the champion.
“He hasn’t confronted somebody of my class and talent however on the finish of the day, we do not know what he is able to till the day.
“The fact is, you’re not going to get 14 out of 15 wins by KO unless have something about you. So I’ve got to respect him, respect what he’s good at and earn the right to stop him.”
The combat will likely be Okolie’s first above the 200lb restrict after shifting as much as the Bridgerweight class. For Okolie, the change in weight class is a chance to carry out with extra energy.
“I obviously have my own reasonings behind the change,” he stated.
“I believe quite a lot of energy has been misplaced within the fitness center, attempting to make that cruiserweight restrict.
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Lawrence Okolie says new coach Joe Gallagher will get the perfect out of him and WBC bridgerweight champion Lukasz Rozanski can pay the value.
“My mindset was just, ‘I don’t care let me just get a win and another paycheck’ whereas now I’m in a situation where boxing is great and you get paid well on the day but it’s not my main source of income anymore.
“So I simply need to go in and be explosive. And if I’ll put in all of this tough work and be away from my son I higher have an explosive evening and make it imply one thing.”
Okolie’s last fight ended in defeat, after losing his WBO cruiserweight title to Chris Billam-Smith in May 2023. Billam-Smith will defend the title at Selhurst Park on June 15th against Riakporhe, live on Sky Sports. Okolie backs Billam-Smith to win the fight.
“I believe Chris will win,” he said.
“It is a robust one, I believe Chris will win as he is been on a extra lively run of kind, he beat a world champion on the time in myself who’s higher than Riakporhe so I might anticipate him to win.
“However, I think Riakporhe does obviously have good punch power Chris has got a lot of damage over his eye now which I think will play a factor in the fight. In his last fight, he looked very vulnerable until he landed the body shots to end it.”
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