WBSS final: Lawrence Okolie ready to step up to European level
Lawrence Okolie has disclosed he jumped at the opportunity to challenge Yves Ngabu to its cruiserweight title.
Okolie will take about the Regis Prograis-Josh Taylor undercard in The O2 on October 26 on Ngabu, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
The Hackney fighter, that picked up the British and Commonwealth titles as joining the pro ranks in 2017 and has won all 13 of his battles, did not hesitate when offered the opportunity to step up in class against the undefeated Belgian.
“I just feel that when you’re young and competent [to fight] then you ought to do,” said Okolie through Monday’s press conference.
“This is going to be the next winner I’ve boxed. I have defeated the Commonwealth winner, I have defeated the British champion and I am looking forward to beating on the champion.
“He’s got a excellent team. I’ve heard a lot of interviews I like the way he speaks.
“I’m just excited about putting myself in training camp and going to work.
“It is going to be very, very good, really exciting. He’s got a kind of style that is virtually contrary to mine.
“He is a come-forward fighter but that he also knows how to ship. He has good power punching and several other things like this, so there’s definitely going to be a good deal of stuff I’m going to need to deal with on the night, but I can cope with all of these professionally.”
Ngabu (20-0, KOs 14) will be battling for the very first time outside his native Belgium but the 30-year-old is confident of successfully defending his title for the third time.
“He [Okolie] is a good fighter. He’s tall, he is strong and that which until today he did perfect, but I believe I could beat him and I think I’m stronger than him and we will see on October 26,” explained Ngabu.
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