New bridgerweight division 'perfect move for Okolie'

Poland's Lukasz Rozanski (left) is the defending WBC champion at bridgerweight

Lawrence Okolie will fight Lukasz Rozanski in Poland on Friday for the WBC bridgerweight title.

The Briton was WBO world champion at cruiserweight and reigned undefeated until losing to Chris Billam-Smith last year.

While Friday's fight is being billed as a world title bout, bridgerweight is a new division, boxing’s 18th overall, and is not recognised by most of the boxing world.

The sanctioning body WBC created it in November 2020 to bridge the gap between cruiserweight (14st 4lb) and heavyweight.

While fellow sanctioning body WBA followed the WBC’s example, the IBF and WBO did not and neither the trusted Ring Magazine or boxing statistic website Boxrec recognise the weight.

WBO president Francisco Valcarcel previously said "having 17 divisions in professional boxing is more than enough".

For Okolie, it is a chance for him to prepare for heavyweight.

Bridgerweight begins at 14st 4lb (90.7kg), with a limit of 16st (101.6kg).

The Londoner has always suggested he was destined for the glamour weight class, but has taken the option to build into competing at heavyweight.

New weight, new Okolie?

Okolie went 19 fights unbeaten before losing his WBO world title to Billam-Smith last year

Okolie will sport a new team alongside his heavier frame on Friday. The Englishman has linked up with experienced coach Joe Gallagher, even relocating from Dubai to train in Manchester.

Gallagher sees the weight as the "perfect move" for Okolie.

"It’s a good idea of how he will cope at heavyweight without having to go up to that division," Gallagher said.

"It’s a chance [to] get that WBC belt and put himself back on the boxing map."

While Okolie reached 19 fights before suffering his first defeat, questions have always been raised about his punching power at world level.

In his three successful defences, he had just one stoppage.

At 6ft 5in (1.96m), Okolie would often have a large height and reach advantage at cruiserweight.

Although undefeated Pole Rozanski is only four inches smaller. Okolie retains a significant reach advantage but that is likely to be further diminished at heavyweight.

As a result, Okolie is eager to ignite his finishing ability again - after 14 stoppages from 19 wins.

"I’ve got several knockouts, and several early knockouts in my career and I’m going to get back to that," Okolie said.

"I’ve got great punch power myself - especially with the extra weight."

Gallagher, who told Okolie he had it "too easy" in Dubai, echoed the sentiment -especially fighting away from home against Rozanski.

"I’ve told Lawrence he needs to knock him out," he said.

"I’ve said to him since day one that if he thinks he’s going to go over there and win on points he’s absolutely mad.

"He’s not going to get any favours," he added. "It’ll be hostile. He has to upset him any way he can."