Will ‘The Sauce’ Bring the Heat? Lawrence Okolie vs Krzysztof Glowacki - Fight Preview
At the second time of asking, Lawrence Okolie and Krzysztof Glowacki are set to clash for the WBO world Cruiserweight title. Having previously fallen off the Joshua v Pulev card back in December due to Glowacki suffering from COVID-19, the pair are now set to meet at the weekend as the headline attraction.
Okolie and Glowacki clash for the WBO world cruiserweight title this coming weekend (Photo: Bad Left Hook)
After Oleksandr Usyk took the step up to heavyweight after becoming undisputed champion at cruiserweight, the world title belts were left wide open in the 14st 4lbs division. With the likes of Mairis Briedis and Yuniel Dorticos challenging each other to see who the new king at 200-pounds was, this left the remaining belts on offer to the next challenger. That man is none other than ‘The Sauce’ himself, Lawrence Okolie.
Since turning professional back in 2017, the career of Okolie has been an interesting one. With freakish power, size and stature, it was clear to see from the outset that the Rio 2016 Olympian was going to be a huge player on the cruiserweight scene. Despite this, Okolie came under fire for being a difficult watch, constantly holding and not using his full repertoire of skills which he evidently possesses.
Although he was winning titles, including the Commonwealth, British and European belts, there was still something missing from the 28-year-old. That was until he teamed up with elite trainer, Shane McGuigan, who has brought ‘The Sauce’ on leaps and bounds in such a short period of time under his watchful eye.
This Saturday sees Okolie challenge for world honours for the first time, and he goes into the bout as a clear favourite with the bookmakers. With his vast improvement over the past 12-18 months, it is difficult to see past Okolie becoming the latest British boxer to lift that coveted world crown. Currently boasting a perfect record of 15-0 with 12 wins coming inside the distance, Okolie will have bad intentions come Saturday night in a bid to make Krzysztof Glowacki the latest victim of ‘The Sauce’.
Last time out, the 6”5 powerhouse put on arguably his most clinical and polished performance to date. In what was meant to be his maiden world title challenge against this weekend’s opponent, Okolie didn’t let frustration get the better of him, despite not being able to win world honours and emphatically dispatched of Nikodem Jezewski in just two rounds.
This coming weekend will be a whole new challenge for Okolie, as he faces one of the elder statesmen in the division, who is certainly coming to fight. However, the Hackney man will be confident that Saturday is his night and that he becomes the latest addition to the British world champion club.
Okolie is looking to become world champion in just his 16th fight (Photo: Sky Sports)
In the opposite corner, we have Krzysztof Glowacki. A former WBO world cruiserweight champion himself, who will be filled with confidence that he can capture that exact belt for the second time in his already illustrious career.
Standing at 6”0 in the southpaw stance, the Polish superstar will most certainly believe he has at least one more big performance in him to become a two-time champion of the world. Despite getting on in his career and not being as active as he once was, the 34-year-old still has a mightily impressive record and will be no pushover for Okolie come fight night.
‘Glowka’ boasts a record of 31-2, with 19 of his wins coming by way of knockout. Back in 2015, Glowacki stopped Marco Huck to become WBO cruiserweight champion of the world, so the Pole has been there and done it on the big stage.
However, inactivity may be one of the biggest factors in this fight, as the away fighter hasn’t stepped through the ropes since a comprehensive stoppage defeat to the now king of the cruiserweight division, Mairis Briedis. Briedis took care of Glowacki in just three rounds back in June 2019, but there is no shame in that as it is clear to see that the Latvian is the cream of the crop at 200-pounds. Glowacki’s only other defeat came at the hands of Ukrainian superstar, Oleksandr Usyk, who comprehensively outpointed the Pole in the World Boxing Super Series back in 2016.
Glowacki’s last victory came back in November 2018, when he beat Maxim Vlasov for the WBO interim title. The Polish southpaw will be hopeful of getting his hand raised on Saturday night, despite going into the bout as the underdog. He will have to draw on his vast experience and superior boxing brain if he is to get the win on Saturday night.
Glowacki will want that winning feeling come Saturday night (Photo: Premier Boxing Champions)
One similarity you can draw between the pair is a shared win over Matty Askin. Glowacki dispatched of Askin in 11 rounds, while Okolie put on a less than impressive performance on his way to a points win. However, both of these wins were a lot earlier in their careers, so take from that what you will.
Whether it be a new star coming onto the world scene, or an experienced veteran showing he still has plenty left in the tank, Saturday night’s fight is one not to be missed.
Fighter’s Form:
Lawrence Okolie
Nikodem Jezewski – WIN – TKO Round 2
Yves Ngabu – WIN – TKO Round 7
Mariano Angel Gudino – WIN – TKO Round 7
Wadi Camacho – WIN - TKO Round 4
Krzysztof Glowacki
Mairis Briedis – LOSS – TKO Round 3
Maxim Vlasov – WIN – UD (115-112, 117-110, 118-110)
Santander Silgado – WIN – KO Round 1
Serhiy Radchenko – WIN – UD (77-74, 77-74, 77-74)
Event Information:
Date: March 20th 2021
Time: Ring walk approx. 22.00
Venue: TBA
Channel: Sky Sports/DAZN
Official fight poster (@matchroomboxing on Twitter)
Elsewhere on the card, Anthony Fowler takes on Jorge Fortea in a super-welterweight contest, Joe Cordina fights Faroukh Kourbanov in a super-featherweight contest, Chris Billam-Smith is in action as well as Ramla Ali taking on Vanesa Caballero in a featherweight contest.