Lawrence Okolie has opened up about the inspiration he gets from Anthony Joshua and his looming WBO title fight against Krzysztof Glowacki.
The cruiserweight is set to face Glowacki for the vacant WBO belt with a date and venue yet to be confirmed.
And Okolie has said he wants the fight to be staged in America after being inspired by Anthony Joshua, who recently defeated Andy Ruiz Jr overseas to regain his WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO titles.
‘Massive Inspiration’
Okolie has held the European cruiserweight title since October and has said he wants to follow in the foot-steps of fellow Brit AJ, who he travelled to Saudi Arabia to watch regain the titles he lost in June.
Talking about his upcoming title fight, Okolie told Sky Sports: “All I know, is that it will be in the New Year, that it’s the next fight and it’s against Glowacki,”
“I’d like it to be in America, but we’ll see.”
“I’ve done The O2, Manchester Arena, Sheffield, a lot of the main places in England. Where is the next step up? I think it will mean more to win it away from home.”
“I’ve beaten champion after champion at this level, so I would like to beat another champion away from home, and then bring the belt back and have a homecoming fight in London.”
“He’s [Joshua] a massive inspiration to me and just watching him do it has given me extra confidence.”
“Ultimately, I didn’t start boxing to be champion of Britain and only boxing in Britain, I wanted to be champion of the world. As an amateur, I travelled around the world and I want to do the same as a professional.”
In Demand
And just like his idol Joshua, there are fighters lining up to step in the ring with him.
Richard Riakporhe has called Okolie out for a title defence should he take the WBO belt against Gowacki.
But the Hackney fighter believes Riakporhe isn’t currently of his pedigree and should focus on his own career.
Riakporhe will take on Jack Massey for the vacant British cruiserweight title on Thursday 19 December.
When asked about Riakporhe’s upcoming fight, and whether a bout between the two was likely, Okolie told Sky Sports: “I expect Riakporhe to come out on top,”
“Basically, every step I’ve taken, I’ve taken from champions.”
“I feel like other people want to be gifted opportunities, but that’s fine.”
“He’s a London rival, but I have to win, he has to win.”
“He’s not my next fight, my next fight is for a world title.”
“He hasn’t even won the British title yet and he’s about to box for a vacant one, where I beat a champion.”
“I don’t really see these guys as my rivals. As of right now, they are behind me, with good reason. We’ll see what happens.”
A New Superstar?
If Okolie takes the WBO cruiserweight title and Riakporhe can stop Massey for the British belt, then a match-up between the two could well be on the cards.
Could Okolie be the cruiserweight division’s Anthony Joshua?
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ Lawrence Okolie)