Lawrence Okolie Calls Out Mairis Briedis; Targeting Cruiserweight Unification Next
WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence “The Sauce” Okolie (18-0, 14 KO’s) successfully defended the title a second time by fending off former title contender Michal Cieslak (21-2, 15 KO’s). The next order of business is a unification with IBF champion Mairis Briedis (28-1, 20 KO’s) or a move to heavyweight.
The cruiserweight division is ready for a unification after unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk released the undisputed status. The Sauce has been targeting Briedis going back to 2021. However, the IBF champion seems to be more interested in making a spectacle of himself, trying to get a fight with YouTuber Jake Paul.
WILL A UNIFICATION BE NEXT?
During the intermission interview, Briedis was in attendance and dressed up as the video game character Mario. After soundly defeating Cieslak, Okolie was not impressed with the antics of the IBF champion, making it obvious when asked about a unification in the post-fight interview.
“He looks like a clown and I will show him that.”
Lawrence Okolie, WBO cruiserweight champion
Okolie is on record as saying how the IBF champion’s behavior is embarrassing. But, he still wants to fight for unification before making the jump to heavyweight. Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn suggested making a fight with another champion before fighting Briedis.
“He’s [Okolie] going to move up to heavyweight, it’s only a matter of time. We must make these unifications before he does it […] maybe we even get [WBA champion Arsen] Goulamirian or [WBC champion] Makabu.”
Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Chairman
During an interview with Matchroom Boxing, the WBO champion made it clear that he is moving up to heavyweight if a unification is not next.
“I think if it’s not a unification next, I’ll have a little dab of that heavyweight.”
Lawrence Okolie, WBO cruiserweight champion
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By: Garrisson Bland
