Lawrence Okolie will be world heavyweight champion, says trainer Joe Gallagher | ‘It’s a matter of time’ | Debate News
Lawrence Okolie can be a heavyweight world champion, coach Joe Gallagher insists.
Okolie aims to fight Agit Kabayel for the WBC interim title and take a mandatory shot at Oleksandr Usyk’s WBC full world title.
A former world number one at cruiserweight and in the new, less popular bridgerweight division, Okolie is ranked number one in the WBC heavyweight division.
Gallagher is convinced he must put the Hackney fighter in the frame to take on Kabayel.
“I see no reason why it can’t happen and it should happen. Lawrence Okolie against Kabayel in the WBC Interim or, if Usyk is stripped of the WBC world title. That’s what we want,” said Gallagher. Sky Sports.
“We say he is not a man because we are determined to fight him.
“We want that fight,” continued the coach. “I don’t think he will be able to run anymore. Lawrence will fight in Germany. Lawrence is not worried, he will fight here, there, anywhere.
“That’s the fight we’re going for and I’m very confident we’re going to beat the so-called heavyweight boogeyman.”
He would like to see that fight take place in April or May. Frank Warren, who promotes both Kabayel and Okolie, loves that game.
Warren said Sky Sports: “It would be a big fight [Kabayel]. [Okolie] he’s a good fighter, he’s a good fighter and he’s established himself in the heavyweight division. He’s expecting a big fight.”
If he can beat Kabayel, winning the interim WBC belt would put him in a position to win the full world title. Usyk has been granted permission by the WBC to voluntarily defend the title, but he will have to face his responsibility.
“Usyk, if he has it [voluntary] fight, whoever he’s going to fight, after that he’ll have to defend Agit or if he doesn’t defend himself he’ll have to give up his belt,” said Warren.
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Chris Billam-Smith sent his hometown crowd into a frenzy as he launched Lawrence Okolie’s first single into his professional career.
Okolie has had some dirty fights at cruiserweight and has been heavily criticized for winning. But he’s loaded at heavyweight and had a very impressive win over Kevin Lerena last year.
Gallagher is convinced that Okolie is equipped to eventually become the heavyweight champion of the world.
“I think if he is given the opportunity and given good notice and the right camp, I think he will do it,” said the coach. “I think it’s just a matter of time.”
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