WBO World cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie discusses next challenger Michal Cieslak

Exclusive interview with WBO World cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie

WBO World cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie (17-0, 14KOs) spoke exclusively to GBN ahead of his headlining title defence to Michal Cieslak (21-1, 15KOs) at the O2 Arena in London on February 27, live on DAZN.

‘The Sauce’ discussed his next fight, his rising business interests outside of the ring, and an update on the Mairis Briedis unification fight.

 

Michal Cieslak is your next challenger; only beaten once in his career in a world title fight with WBC champion Ilunga Makabu, which went the 12-round distance, but what do you know of him?

LO: “I think he’s good, I think he’ll pose some problems if I’m not 100 per cent and he’ll come for it.

“You just have to watch a bit of him to know he’s coming to have a tear-up, so it’ll be interesting to see how I calm him down and take him out, and it’ll be good for the champions to see, because the other champions will see that and be like ‘Ah wow, hold on’.

“What the statement I’m trying to make with him is showing that this is what you did against another champion, and this is what I’m gonna do against him; simple as, so it’ll be fun.”

 

You have been seen training with Anthony Joshua in Dubai, was there any sparring done together?

LO: “Yeah, we did some body sparring, nothing to the head really, just working on inside work, some techniques, just being physical as well, so it was good. I’m going to start sparring next week and then push on from there.”

 

You have risen to the top very quickly, becoming a world champion in your 15th fight, what differences does it bring when you’re the defending champion instead of the challenger?

LO: “I think the biggest difference will probably be is that everyone is researching me before they fight me.

“I am now seven weeks-eight weeks at a time with these people that I’m boxing, where they’re gonna be thinking of it for a year… the longer that I’m champion that’s the longer they’re gonna be planning it all, that’s one of the main things.

“I was already planning how I would beat all the champions on my way up; now I’m champion I believe that’s what they’ll be doing.

“But, for me, I’ve got an air of confidence as a champion. I feel an obligation as well when I’m training to train diligently, so it’s a mixture, but at the same time when it comes down to having a fight it’s the same thing you’ll do as a challenger as a champion, and that’s fight hard.”

 

This will be your sixth appearance at The O2 Arena, has this venue become your boxing home now?

LO: “I’ve definitely been there a few times, even just as a fan of other people’s fights and other spectacles there. It’s one of the best places.”

 

Promoter Kalle Sauerland is confident of making the unification fight with Mairis Briedis in the summer – can you tell us anything more about that?

LO: “I wouldn’t know, I try to stay on top of it all but just people say this and this in this interview, and that in that real meeting… it’s interesting, so I don’t get my hopes up too high, I just focus on this next one and putting on a good performance and then we’ll see how it goes after that, but I’m up for a tear-up!”

 

What is your wish list for 2022?

LO: “Yeah, just to go ahead and solidify myself outside of boxing, in terms of business, and in the ring to just remain undefeated and just work on techniques and be the best fighter I can be.”

 

On the subject of business, you’re a sponsored athlete with boohooMAN, can you explain what that type of backing does to benefit your career?

LO: “It’s a multitude of things, so just actual performance, they’ve got really good, comfortable stuff to train in and obviously if you feel good and look while you’re training, you’re gonna be able to push a little bit more out of yourself.

“On a personal level, I know the owners so that helps me in terms of business acumen and just in terms of chopping up some conversation with them and, as a brand, as a whole, they’ve got marketing and PR and stuff like that to help, so it’s all positives.”

 

You are also involved in an online coaching business, can you tell us a bit more about that?

LO: “Yeah, so Okolie Fit, it’s been an interest of mine. Obviously, I was overweight growing up and I knew what that did with my confidence, and I was getting bullied and once I lost the weight I started feeling a lot better about myself and started handling situations differently from how I did, and I pushed on from that to boxing and becoming a world champion.

“So, I think it’s important that everyone feels, not only about how they look, but in terms of how they approach the day from a motivational standpoint, so me and my team of strength and condition coaches, nutritionists… I’ve paid for the best.

“To be a world champion, you’re kind of put on a platform, so everyday people turn up and get interaction with myself and the team, and just hit their targets, so I’m really excited to see how that’s going to go over the next few years.”

 

Are you still a practising vegan? What benefits does it offer to an elite athlete?

LO: “Yeah, so I turned plant-based, a bit of [other food] in there but outside of that, I’m just vegan.

“For me, it’s easier to make weight, I feel a lot lighter, a lot more quicker than I used to.

“What else can I say? I think it opens up different views and stuff, because I was in a routine with chicken today… salmon today… with a little bit on the side, but now I can mix it up with quinoas and different vegetables and asparagus and stir fry… it’s almost a bit like, the senses – you close your eyes and suddenly you feel like you can hear better, it opens up your mind, and [your] taste buds get all different types of food.”

 

And what do you think of the new McPlant burger from your old employer, McDonalds?

“Ah, yeah they’re nice, but obviously I haven’t had an actual beefburger in like six years, but I would say go and try one and let me know what you think, but I really like it.”

 

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