Lawrence Okolie demands clarity: Will Usyk vacate his belts and pave the way for a new heavyweight era?
Lawrence Okolie is in the starting blocks for the big time in the heavyweight division. After Oleksandr Usyk once again unified all four world titles with his victory over Daniel Dubois, the challengers are now turning their attention to the Ukrainian’s future – and the question of how long he will continue to defend his belts.
“He’s accomplished everything and beaten everyone,” Okolie said in an interview with The Ring. “But he’s blocking the division. It’s time to vacate the titles and give other fighters a chance.” The 32-year-old Londoner recently secured the top position in the WBC rankings with a clear points victory over Kevin Lerena and is now waiting for his world championship fight.
Particularly explosive: Should Usyk resign the WBC belt, there could be a showdown between Okolie and the German WBC interim champion Agit Kabayel. Both are considered top contenders for the vacant title. A duel against WBA interim champion Fabio Wardley is also on the cards. Usyk’s possible withdrawal from the title race heralds a generational change in the heavyweight division – a “Royal Rumble”, as Okolie himself calls it, which could usher in the next era of the premier class.
Text by Robin Josten