OKOLIE SURE HE WILL BE CHAMPION
NO MATTER who he fights, Lawrence Okolie is always the favourite in his own mind.
So he isn’t fazed that the bookmakers fancy him to beat Krzysztof Glowacki to the vacant WBO cruiserweight world title at the O2 Arena in a fortnight. Pole Glowacki, 34, has fought 33 times as a professional and, although there are two losses on his record, both have come in world title fights against Oleksandr Usyk in 2017 and Mairis Briedis last year.
European champion Okolie who, has a 14-0 record, said: “I’m very narcissistic when it comes to boxing, so I’m going to believe that I am meant to be the favourite. As long as you put in good, good training and push yourself to the limit, none of the other stuff really matters.
“Come December 13, the day after the fight, the bookies’ stuff won’t matter, except for the people who bet.
“For me, the only thing that will matter is the W or not, so I just want to go on and get the victory. Glowacki has a lot of experience, but I have a lot of physical and mental attributes that will win this fight – range, athleticism, power, going into the corner…
“I see myself as favourite but I have to go and prove it.”
Okolie’s fortunes have already changed since the days he flipped burgers for a living but becoming a world champion will cap his story.
The 27-year-old Brit said: “I try not to overthink what happens if I win.
“I get messages from people saying my story inspires and gives them hope, and that’s the thing that really gets me.
“Just to know getting this far motivates people gives me a push to really get it done.”