By Eóin Kennedy
It’s been a common phenomenon in boxing in recent times to write off fighters after they have suffered one loss, although thankfully that era seems to be coming to an end and fans are generally more admiring of a loss against a quality opponent as opposed to a win over an utter dud. The change in supporter and media mindset doesn’t seem to have applied to Lawrence Okolie though, with the former WBO cruiserweight world champion becoming a little bit of a forgotten man since he lost that title to Chris Billam-Smith last May. The peculiar thing about the trajectory of Okolie’s career is that it was already trending in a downward direction from a popularity standpoint before he’d even lost a fight, due to the scrappy and dull nature of his fights. Okolie moved away from promoters Matchroom to join Ben Shalom’s upstart rival, Boxxer, and the young promoter was declaring that the former Olympian from London was the face of the brand. But Okolie would lose his world title in short order to old stablemate Billam-Smith and now faces a rebuilding job on his career.
Twelve months on from that soul destroying defeat, Okolie now finds himself in new territory on various levels. Firstly, he has engaged the services of a new trainer. Veteran Mancunian trainer Joe Gallagher, who has guided Callum and Liam Smith, Anthony Crolla, Natasha Jonas, Scott Quigg among others to world titles, will be taking charge of Okolie’s corner for the first time. The former world champion will also be fighting at a new weight class, the recently formed bridgerweight, which has a limit of twenty-four pounds higher than Okolie’s old stomping ground of cruiserweight. The Englishman will also have to walk to the ring for the very first time as a professional having already tasted defeat, so how much of an effect that has had on his confidence will be interesting to observe.
Okolie hasn’t been completely unfamiliar with change already in his professional career. He split from old coach Shane McGuigan after his successful world title defense against Michal Cieslak and fought two fights under the stewardship of Tyson Fury’s cornerman, Sugar Hill Steward, so a new voice in the corner won’t be completely alien to him. What Okolie needs to find so desperately now at this part of his career is some rhythm in how he fights. Even while still an undefeated world champion his fights tended to be scrappy and tough slogs to watch and when a fighter continually offers up uneventful servings, it becomes difficult to keep the paying customers interested. Okolie will be hoping that Joe Gallagher can bring a something to the table that will make him a world champion again, while promoter Ben Shalom will be hoping he can bring something that also makes his fighter entertaining to fans.
What is the plan going forward for Lawrence Okolie? Well, even if he wins his upcoming world title fight against WBA bridgerweight world champion Lukasz Rozanski in Poland in May, it is likely to cause few ripples within the sport. Bridgerweight is boxing’s newest weight class and given its lack of depth in talent combined with the fact that it is only recognized as a weight-class by two of the four governing bodies, fans and commentators have been reluctant to pay it too much heed since its inception. What’s more important than the title for Okolie will be reviving his career and proving to his promoter Boxxer that he is still the man to trust as the face of their company, and to his fans that he is entertaining enough to pay hard earned money to watch. At thirty-one years of age and with most of the top stars at heavyweight (where Okolie is likely to move next) set to retire in the next few years, Lawrence Okolie could be at the beginning of a very successful and lucrative chapter in his career if he can find his mojo again.