Lawrence Okolie Targets ‘Heavyweight Dream’ After Joining Queensberry
Lawrence Okolie believes Queensberry Promotions is “the only place to be” as he attempts to fulfil his dream of becoming a heavyweight world champion.
Okolie (20-1-0 15 KO) recently became a two-weight world champion by winning the WBC’s belt in the newer bridgerweight division – a weight class between cruiserweight and heavyweight – having held the WBO’s 200-pound title between March 2021 and May 2023.
The British fighter had always stated that his time at bridgerweight would be temporary, but instead of making a title defense or two, he has decided to make an immediate climb up to heavyweight.
To aid in his bid for heavyweight glory, Okolie has signed terms with Frank Warren and Queensberry. He becomes the latest British heavyweight to be represented by Warren and joins the likes of reigning IBF champion Daniel Dubois, former world champions Tyson Fury and Joseph Parker, and several highly-rated prospects including Fabio Wardley and Moses Itauma.
“There is only one place,” Okolie said. “If you are a heavyweight in Britain or the world, it is the Warrens. They’ve got the best up and coming heavyweights, the best current heavyweights and the best who are on their way out. So it is the place to be, for me.
“It has gone through different phases in my career and I needed to find a home that would cater for this next period, right to the end of my career, which is the heavyweight dream of being a three-weight world champion.
“I am a natural for the weight, right from being on the GB team. I have been struggling with making weight but, when you have success, you keep on pushing it. I even had to come down to make bridgerweight, so I knew it was time to go up.”
By joining Queensberry, Okolie has now worked with all three of the biggest promotional companies in the UK. He started his career with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing after turning professional in 2017 and recently worked with Ben Shalom and Boxxer.
“I am thrilled to add Lawrence to our burgeoning heavyweight ranks here at Queensberry and I fully expect him to increase our successes in the marquee division,” said Warren.
“Lawrence possesses all the attributes to make a big impact at heavyweight and he will relish being released of the burden of cutting weight, allowing his natural talent and power to shine through. There are so many exciting fights and options out there for Lawrence and I am so looking forward to getting him started again.”
Okolie, who competed at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, made his professional debut in March 2017 as a cruiserweight. He became the Commonwealth and British champion in 2018, before adding the European belt the following year.
The Londoner first became world champion in March 2021 when he defeated Krzysztof Glowacki with a sixth-round knockout and defended the belt three times. He suffered his sole pro loss in May 2023, falling to a majority-decision to Chris Billam-Smith.
Okolie then stepped up to bridgerweight and proceeded to destroy Lukasz Rozanski inside the first round of their May bout to claim the WBC world title.
