Challenger Lawrence Okolie and WBC bridgeweight champion Lukasz Rozanski both passed their weigh-ins safely on Thursday ahead of Friday night's main event on Sky Sports at the Podplomie Arena in Rzeszow, Poland.
Former WBC cruiserweight champion Okolie (19-1, 14 KOs) weighed in at 223.5 pounds and looked in top shape for his debut bout at the blitzerweight division, while WBC champion Rozanski (15-0, 14 KOs) weighed in at 223 pounds.
Okolie knockout prediction
If Okolie wins, he will likely move up to heavyweight and follow in the footsteps of Oleksandr Usyk, aiming for global glory and big money at that division.
“I'm fortunate to be in an easier weight class, so yes, I'm putting pressure on myself and I think I need to win by knockout, especially against Lukasz who is a fighter that comes forward with explosive power,” Lawrence Okolie told SPORT Boxing about his fight on Friday night against WBC Bridgerweight World Champion Lukasz Rozanski.
“He's a lot shorter than me so I feel like he's the perfect guy to give me a good shot. If I believe in my true nature and am the same guy that has won world titles and competed in the Olympics, then I'm going to treat him well.”
“I want to be world champion and have other fights, so I have to win by knockout. I'm just interested in winning fights. There's no point having all the assets if you don't use them or practice.”
“I've won every fight I've had so far, so I think I need a certain level of confidence to execute what I can do. I've been working meticulously in the gym and I know with that energy and mindset I can go for the knockout, so I'm focused on that.”
