A possible blockbuster showdown with hard-punching heavyweight Deontay Wilder might be on the horizon for Lawrence Okolie after he claimed the WBC bridgerweight world title, says Sky Sports activities knowledgeable George Groves.
The British fighter, making his return to the ring almost one yr on from his majority-decision loss to Chris Billam-Smith for the WBO cruiserweight crown, knocked down Lukasz Rozanski thrice en path to a first-round stoppage win in Poland to take the belt on Friday.
A possible unification conflict with WBA bridgerweight champion Evgeny Tishchenko might be on the playing cards, however former super-middleweight champion Groves believes former heavyweight king Wilder could also be tempted to tackle Okolie for his belt if the American’s choices at heavyweight are restricted.
“I think, now, this is his time to capitalise on being a world champion,” Groves instructed Sky Sports activities.
“There are going to be a variety of heavyweights on the market with massive names, who usually are not large, who’re going to be pondering ‘Am I ever going to win the heavyweight world championship within the close to future? Perhaps not, however I could be world champion if I tackle Lawrence Okolie’.
“I think, maybe, Wilder is the sort of character who goes ‘I’m such a big name, I’m a former heavyweight world champion, I can’t see me just getting a shot at a heavyweight world title any time soon, but why not become a two-weight world champion by fighting at bridgerweight?'”
The bridgerweight division was launched by the WBC in 2020 to take a seat between cruiserweight and heavyweight, with the WBA following in recognising it three years later, with the burden restrict between 14st 4lb and 16st.
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Okolie hailed his ‘greatest evening in boxing’ after claiming the WBC bridgerweight title together with his first-round stoppage of Rozanski
The WBC and WBA’s limits cowl the normal decrease finish of the heavyweight division and Okolie weighed in at near the higher bridgerweight restrict for his conflict with Rozanski. The 31-year-old has no desire about what comes subsequent, although.
“I have the mandatory or a unification if I’m going to stay at this weight, or go up to heavyweight,” Okolie instructed Sky Sports activities.
“It depends what opportunities arise, there’s not anyone at any weight I wouldn’t box.
“If a heavyweight alternative comes or if I’ve to defend my belt or get a unification I am going to try this.”
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Joe Gallagher needs Okolie to unify the WBC and WBA bridgerweight world titles
Okolie’s coach Joe Gallagher acknowledged he would haven’t any difficulty taking over the smaller heavyweights, citing his similarity in weight to the likes of Wilder and undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Nonetheless, Gallagher needs to see Okolie wrest the WBA bridgerweight belt away from Tishchenko earlier than entering into boxing’s blue-riband division.
“There’s a good unification fight there, and there are smaller heavyweights,” Gallagher instructed Sky Sports activities.
“Deontay Wilder is only 15 and a half [stone]…and the weights of heavyweights, Lawrence is there at the moment.
“I would prefer to see him unify this with the WBA championship after which transfer into the heavyweights.”
Watch Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakpohre face off for the WBO cruiserweight title at Selhurst Park, dwell on Sky Sports activities on Saturday June 15.
