Okolie targets Briedis after cruising to victory
THE QUESTION is no longer whether the man nicknamed The Sauce is a force to be reckoned with in boxing. Nor if Lawrence Okolie is good enough to become the undisputed world cruiserweight champion — provided he continues to bring his newly unveiled A-game to the argument whenever he faces the seasoned three-time world champion Mairis Briedis. The big issue now is whether this east Londoner’s height, reach and punching power can be effective against the giant multi-million-pounders at heavyweight. We may have to wait a year or more for the answer but after this Saturday night at the Wembley Arena it promises to be fun finding out. The new Okolie left his Huggy Bear days way behind him as he moved, jabbed and then right-hooked his way to the vacant WBO world cruiserweight title in only his 16th professional fight. Poland’s Krzysztof Glowacki, a former two-time holder of this title, was barely able to land a punch on Okolie before the roof fell in. A concussive right hook put the finishing touch to five rounds and 46 seconds of impressive work by the 28-year-old. The ecstatic Okolie said: ‘I’ll probably cry when I get back to my hotel room but I’ll be ready for Briedis. I want him next.’ Since the IBF champion is markedly superior to the other belt-holders, victory over Latvia’s national idol would put Okolie on course to his next ambition. Helped in part by the technically brilliant Oleksandr Usyk’s move away from cruiser to heavyweight. All that said, it does have to be recognised that Glowacki was a craven disappointment. The first blows from Okolie’s telescopic arms not only nicked an eye but knocked all the stuffing out of him. Shane McGuigan, son of Irish ring legend Barry, has done a remarkable job already in transitioning Okolie from an awkward grappler into an imposing boxer. A pity no fans could join the party but hopefully they will be out in force as Okolie’s journey takes him on from serving burgers in McDonald’s to seeking big-time glory. n BARNSLEY-born supermiddleweight Lee Noble has died at the age of 33 after a battle with cancer. Promoter Eddie Hearn said: ‘Very saddened to hear of the passing of Lee Noble.’