Mairis Briedis is open to fighting Lawrence Okolie
Two-time Cruiserweight champion Mairis Briedis (27-1, 19ko) could be persuaded to stick around for a fight with newly crowned WBO champion Lawrence “The Sauce” Okolie (16-0, 13ko).
Briedis has competed in the famous World Boxing Super Series tournament twice. After defeating then WBO champion Marco Huck in April 2017, he would jump straight into the WBSS and defeat former heavyweight fighter Mike Perez.
The Latvian fighter would go on into the semi-finals, suffering his first career defeat against former undisputed champion Oleksandr Uysk in January 2018. Once Uysk went north looking for more glory in the heavyweight division, this left all belts up for grabs again.
In 2018, the WBSS kicked off another tournament that saw former WBA champion Yuniel Dorticos beat the brakes off Andrew Tabiti to capture the vacant IBF title. Meanwhile, Briedis lifted the WBO championship away from two-time champion Krzysztof Glowacki in a controversial knockout.
This was supposed to set up a huge unification bout between Dorticos and Briedis in the finals of the WBSS tournament. Instead, the Latvian boxer took the IBF title away from Dorticos in another impressive performance.
A MISFORTUNE BECOMES AN OPPORTUNITY
Briedis never got a chance to defend his WBO title in the WBSS final due to Glowacki appealing the controversial stoppage. The WBO decided against overturning the ruling and instead ordered a rematch between the two fighters. Unfortunately, Briedis’ contractual obligation to the tournament prevented him from complying with the organization’s ruling. After stripping him of the title, the WBO ordered Glowacki to fight then number two contender Okolie.
On March 20, Okolie pummeled the former champion for five rounds. A straight right hand put an end to the contest in the sixth round. The Sauce, during the post-fight interview, mentioned fighting the newly crowned IBF champion before moving up to heavyweight.
SHOW ME THE MONEY
Briedis, with nothing more to prove in the cruiserweight division, intended on going north to the land of the giants in the heavyweight division. However, he is willing to pump the brakes on that idea for a crack at Okolie if the price is right.
In an interview with Proboxing-fans.com, the IBF champion responded to the callout from The Sauce and promoter Eddie Hearn.
“If they can offer me something interesting enough to stick around at cruiserweight for one more fight, I would be open to do it. Eddie Hearn has Kalle Sauerland’s number.”
This is a fight the boxing community needs to get behind. It has that special ingredient of a young lion versus the old lion. Okolie is blessed with good boxing ability and power, while the IBF champion has a serious ring-experience advantage.
3kingsboxing will continue to follow this story and provide any development.
By: Garrisson Bland
