60-SECOND INTERVIEW
John Dennen talks to a man who started boxing to lose weight and is now an Olympian and Commonwealth champion
‘I’VE BEEN A VEGAN SINCE 2017, THE START OF THE NEW YEAR. I FEEL LIGHTER AND FITTER’ Lawrence Okolie
When and why you started boxing:
I started boxing just as a way to lose weight. I started when I was 17.
Favourite all-time fighter:
Probably Thomas Hearns, a long, powerpuncher, and Evander Holyfield, who’d just get in there and have it with everyone.
Best fight you’ve seen:
Probably Joshua-klitschko.
Personal career highlight:
Going to the Olympics, qualifying for the Olympics.
Toughest opponent:
[Erislandy] Savon in the amateurs and then Blaise [Mendouo] as a professional.
Best and worst attributes as a boxer:
Best attribute is probably my right hand. My worse attribute is my appetite.
Training tip:
The coach is always wrong [laughs].
Favourite meal/restaurant:
Vegan fast food, burgers, chips. I’ve been a vegan since 2017, the start of the new year. I think it makes a difference. I feel lighter, fitter, make the weight a lot easier. After the Olympics I started messing about with it and then it was a new year’s resolution.
Best friends in boxing:
Probably all the people on the GB team [and] Anthony Joshua.
Other sportsman you would like to be:
I don’t know, no comment!
‘I FEEL LIGHTER, FITTER AND MAKE THE WEIGHT A LOT EASIER’
‘MY BEST ATTRIBUTE IS PROBABLY MY RIGHT HAND’
Last film/tv show you saw:
The Hunt on Netflix, it’s a documentary on animals killing other animals.
Who would play you in a film of your life:
Denzel Washington clearly.
Have you ever been starstruck:
Honestly, AJ the first time I met him and then Mayweather the first time I saw him as well. I met [ Joshua] outside the O2, I was scared to take a picture with him and the person I was with went up and asked him. He doesn’t know that yet. [Okolie would become a sparring partner of Joshua’s before getting on Team GB himself.]
Last time you cried:
I get close to crying but no tears come out. Just training.
Best advice received:
Walk in confidence.
Worst rumour about yourself:
I have no comment.
Something not many people know about you:
I’ve got size 14 feet.