Former cruiserweight world champion Lawrence Okolie was able to add the WBC Bridgerweight trinket to his collection in double quick fashion tonight, as he stopped defending belt holder Lukasz Rozanski in a matter of minutes in Poland.
At first glance, observers could be forgiven for thinking Rozanski would provide a stiff test for Okolie, with the Pole boasting having stopped all bar one of his opponents inside the distance.
However, it became clear soon after the opening bell that the challenger was a level above the hometown favourite, whose feet were nowhere near quick enough to get inside the Brit’s long and punishing jab.
The beginning of the abrupt end came via a crisp right hand which landed flush on Rozanski’s chin and sent him crashing to the canvas. He was visibly shaken though did manage to make it back to his feet.
Another knockdown quickly followed, and though the soon to be deposed champion rose once more, Okolie was not in the mood for overtime and sent him tumbling down once more, at which point referee Daniel van de Wiele waved the contest off.
Okolie is the WBC bridgerweight world 👑#RozanskiOkolie pic.twitter.com/j1flqUdmUR
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) May 24, 2024
It was an impressive first outing for the former Olympian under new coach Joe Gallagher, though much stiffer tests will be no doubt be in store as he looks to secure bigger fights and bigger paydays than what was on offer in Rzesnow this evening.
The bridgerweight division still has a long way to go before gaining true recognition from the boxing world, and there will be many who will play down the inevitable billing of Okolie as a two-weight world champion from his backers.
That said, it was as fruitful an away day as he and his team could have possibly asked for and a confidence boost after he lost his cruiserweight strap to former stablemate Chris Billam-Smith last year.
