Lawrence Okolie made an emphatic return to motion, knocking out Lukasz Rozanski within the first spherical to win the WBC Bridgeway world title in Poland on Friday evening.
The win sees Okoli develop into a two-weight world champion as he fights for the primary time since relinquishing his WBO heavyweight belt in defeat to Chris Bealham-Smith final Could.
Akoli strikes to 20-1 as a professional in his newest transfer as much as heavyweight, whereas it marked the primary lack of his profession for Rozanski.
The Hackney fighter took down Rozanski thrice shortly and viciously, the final of which finally pressured the referee to wave off the competition as the house favourite struggled to his ft.
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Lawrence Okolie referred to as his victory over Lukasz Rozanski one of the best second in boxing
“It was one of the best second in boxing for me, I am very glad,” Okolie stated. “New weight, bringing the knockout again to Okolie.
“Generally I believe individuals are joking, I say I will go within the first spherical and attempt to get a knockout. I went out and did it.
“Joe Gallagher, hats off to him, I hated him all coaching camp, each day was completely different however each day he was there for me.
“I hated each second of it, however at present was all price it.”
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George Groves believes Deontay Wilder may take into account dealing with Lawrence Okoli sooner or later if he does not see a transparent path to a different world heavyweight title battle.
The journey to Poland has been touted as a possible banana pores and skin for Okolie in his bid to regain some profession momentum, with Rozanski anticipated as a harmful full-throttle fighter who surprised Alen Babic within the spherical final 12 months.
All week, Okolie promised to use his opponent’s aggression, and he did so with speedy impact, touchdown a few early warning pictures with a tough proper hand within the opening swings.
It did not take lengthy for Okoli to make the breakthrough, sending Rozanski crashing to the canvas with a proper hand to the 38-year-old’s face.
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Joe Gallagher desires Lawrence Okolie to unify the WBC and WBA bantamweight titles, then face off
Ryozanski shortly received to his ft earlier than collapsing to a different uppercut proper on the ropes, this time nearly managing to get the rely.
The third time was the appeal and one of the best punch of all, Okoli completed issues off with a devastating uppercut, leaving Rozanski on his fingers and knees, tangled between the ropes.
Referee Daniel Van de Wiele had seen sufficient, bringing issues to a fast finish and crowning Okolie the champion in entrance of a hushed Polish crowd.
“My final battle was an excellent expertise after I realized what it is wish to really feel alone within the ring [against Billam-Smith]Okolie stated.
“I did not really feel alone, I felt like I wished to win for the workforce. We got here and did it.”
Kevin Lerena is now eyeing a possible necessary battle for Okolie if he desires to remain at Bridgerweight, and coach Joe Gallagher is determined for him to consolidate earlier than making a potential transfer to heavyweight.
“I might wish to see a unification, there is a WBA unification battle,” Gallagher stated.
“There are smaller heavyweights like Deontay Wilder, Lawrence at that weight.
“It needs to be a pure development, however I might like him to place it collectively first.
“He is stuffed with power, he can return to the gymnasium on Monday.”