Lawrence Okolie is Poles Apart for the WBO Cruiserweight Title

ByIan Shutts
Lawrence Okolie

Before beating Nikodem Jezewski by TKO in just two rounds at the end of last year, Lawrence Okolie suggested there was no rush in his bid for the WBO Cruiserweight title. Nevertheless, in just a few days and within three months of beating that Polish opponent, the British fighter will take on his next rival from Poland.

Scheduled for 20 March 2021, Okolie will take the next important step in his promising career. The opponent this time will be Krzysztof Glowacki and up for grabs, the vacant WBO Cruiserweight title. Despite the previous thoughts about taking his time, this opportunity was too good to refuse for the British boxer.

Ahead of the fight, 28-year-old Okolie is the boxing betting WBO Cruiserweight title favorite, priced at -300 odds to secure the biggest victory of his career. This is clearly a reflection of his exceptional record to date. Meanwhile, 34-year-old Glowacki will head into the bout at +225 underdog odds, aiming to regain the championship title he lost to Oleksandr Usyk in 2016.

When it comes to the respective form of these two boxers, Okolie would appear to have the upper hand. The British boxer boasts an exceptional record, since his first professional fight, winning all 15 of his contests, with 12 knockout victories and 3 by decision. His most recent bout was the second-round knockout win against Jezewski in December 2020.

By comparison, Glowacki hasn’t fought since his TKO defeat by Mairis Briedis in June 2019. This came during the 2018-2020 World Boxing Super Series – cruiserweight division. While 36-year-old Latvian fighter, Briedis, went on to claim the IBF and The Ring cruiserweight titles, Glowacki was left wondering what was next. For him, the WBO title shot comes as an absolute gift.

That said, Glowacki shouldn’t be underestimated. He had established a superb record of 26 wins, before the first loss of his career against Usyk. Since that defeat and having lost the WBO Cruiserweight championship belt, the Polish southpaw has worked hard to put himself back in contention. His overall record stands at 31 wins and 19 knockouts, with just two defeats.

Okolie certainly isn’t taking any chances, regardless of being tagged as the clear favorite for this March meeting in the ring. He was already scheduled to face Glowacki last year, as part of the undercard for the Anthony Joshua versus Kubrat Pulev bout. However, when Glowacki had to withdraw due to illness, the then-undefeated Kezewski was lined up as the alternative.

However, while Okolie was able to make short work of Jezewski, the fight against his Polish compatriot is an entirely different proposition. Glowacki is a vastly experienced professional boxer and highly respected, which means that Okolie will have done plenty of homework. This could be a battle that goes the distance, and that is something the Briton will be keen to avoid if possible, especially against such a determined opponent.

Having enjoyed a rapid rise, if Okolie can claim the WBO title, it would set him up for some exciting future bouts. Arsen Goulamirian is the current WBA Super Champion, while Ilunga Makabu holds the WBC title, with Mairis Briedis the reigning holder of the IBF and The Ring cruiserweight belts. A unification shot in the next couple of years isn’t out of the question.

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