WBC #1 contender Lawrence Okolie names his next heavyweight target

WBC #1 Lawrence Okolie eyeing heavyweight title next

WBC #1 heavyweight contender Lawrence Okolie (22-1, 16 KOs) has named his exact target he wants to fight next.

The two-weight world champion is unbeaten in his only two bouts up at heavyweight, having reigned previously as WBO cruiserweight and WBC bridgerweight world champion.

In his heavyweight debut, he won the vacant WBC Silver title in the first-round, then defended it successfully against Kevin Lerena on points last weekend, despite rupturing his bicep muscle in the opening round.

The 32-year-old Londoner revealed to Sky Sports exactly who he is targeting next: “It would be [Agit] Kabayel.”

Undefeated German boxer Agit Kabayel (26-0, 18 KOs) became the WBC Interim world heavyweight champion in his last victory over Zhilei Zhang in February.

Okolie continued to explain why he wants Kabayel next, “He’s the only person who’s higher ranked than me with the WBC. Aside from [him], it would probably be Fabio Wardley.

“The reason why that one’s interesting is because he’s a British fighter, who’s [19-0-1 with 18 KOs].

“He’s explosive, and it’s a fight where I have to be at my absolute best to win. I like that one.”

Ipswich's Fabio Wardley will also have silverware to offer, as the reigning WBA Interim world heavyweight champion.