Lawrence Okolie has a three-point plan that will see him battle Daniel Dubois in a heavyweight world title unification.
First, Okolie should beat 2016 Olympic gold medallist Tony Yoka after they field in Paris on April 25.
Victory would go away Okolie because the WBC’s No 1-ranked heavyweight contender, behind WBC Interim titlist and Oleksandr Usyk’s necessary challenger Agit Kabayel.
If Usyk does not defend the complete WBC title in opposition to Kabayel, Okolie expects to field the German for that world championship.
Usyk did not defend his WBO belt in opposition to necessary challenger Fabio Wardley and is now taking up kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven in a crossover contest.
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Former two-division champion Lawrence Okolie backs Daniel Dubois to beat Fabio Wardley of their WBO heavyweight title conflict and eyes a future bout along with his former fitness center mate.
“Everyone’s going to have to force the issue, Agit’s team, my team, we’re all going to have to force the position and hope that the WBC does the right thing,” Okolie informed Sky Sports activities.
“Usyk has to battle [Kabayel] and if he does not field him in a well timed vogue and agree, strip him after which let him field whoever he needs to field on the finish of the 12 months after which we’ll field within the autumn for the complete world title.
“That’s why I’m so eager to beat Yoka and beat him well because I know what comes off the back end of it. So I’ve just got to get it done.”
He assume Daniel Dubois will beat Fabio Wardley in Could to win the WBO title and Okolie envisages boxing Dubois in a heavyweight world championship down the road.
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Chris Billam-Smith admits potential bouts with former foe Lawrence Okolie and Deontay Wilder might tempt him to maneuver up from the cruiserweight division.
“I sparred him loads, I’ve been sparring him since the Great Britain days, we’ve done countless rounds,” Okolie stated of Dubois. “My aim is to win in France, win in Germany, then win in England and be king of it all.
“I do assume it in all probability shall be me and Dan.”
He added: “I feel that Dubois goes to win as a result of he is acquired much more expertise on the stage and he is crushed higher guys. And I feel that, stylistically as nicely, in the event that they do begin buying and selling, until Fabio’s that a lot faster than him, Dan undoubtedly punches more durable than him. So I feel he’ll in all probability harm him.
“If they catch Dan early, hard then we could see a few repeats of some performances. But I’d be favouring Dan in that fight.”
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Daniel Dubois refused to shake Fabio Wardley’s hand after they confronted off for the primary time on the launch press convention forward of their battle in Could.
British revenge
Okolie’s Olympic team-mate Joe Joyce misplaced a controversial determination to Yoka within the super-heavyweight last at Rio 2016. He needs to precise some revenge.
“One hundred per cent,” Okolie stated. “Joe messaged me, actually, and said beat him up for me – and I will. I watched that fight live and I was so disappointed.”
Though Yoka can have residence benefit, Okolie’s confidence stays undimmed forward of their contest.
“I’d like to see how he handles the pressure of the day, the fans cheering, the expectation and whatever else. When you’ve got all that and you’ve got someone like myself who you know at any point if I catch you properly is going to hurt you, it’ll be interesting to see how that all boils together,” Okolie stated.
“I feel like in life there’s winners and there’s losers, and I think I’m more of a winner than he is. And that’s why I expect to get this one done.”
Watch the Caroline Dubois vs Terri Harper invoice dwell on Sky Sports activities on Sunday April 5.
