Lawrence Okolie beats David Light in Scrappy world title defense

Lawrence Okolie named his partnership with BOXXER and Sky Sports in Manchester with a point win over David Light to retain the WBO Cruiserkg belt.

Okolie’s first outing as a BoxxER on Sports sky following his tumultuous breakup from Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom also marked his first competition with new coach, SugarHill Steward. The long-range cruiser class champion saw the impact of Steward on Tyson Fury’s styleand wanted a piece for myself.

Light entered the ring as a significant underdog – undefeated for 20 games and after a great 2022, yes, but simply untested at this level.

If there’s one thing he has more than Okolie, it’s activity. The British last made their debut in February 2022 – a unanimous decision victory over Poland’s Michal Cieslak.

Sauce 🔥🔥🔥 @Lawrence_tkopic.twitter.com/kvIWvr91Om

– Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) March 25, 2023

New Zealand’s light was within immediate reach of Okolie, the Briton using his signature clincher as he entered range. Okolie used her body well and succeeded with some right hooks but missed just as much.

The champion managed to get some success the second time around, still not quite getting the measured distance to land perfectly. Light made it difficult by stepping in very well when Okolie was on the attack, but his constantly moving forward was ominous when Okolie started to pick up the pace.

The manager told his curator to keep working his body before the third inning and he would see it pay off, but he didn’t follow the instructions and Light took a closer look. a little bit. The fourth round is a dizzying dance in the center of the ring with not much action at all.

Okolie landed beautifully with his right hand in the fifth round, using up his 82-inch reach, but his opponent kept moving forward. He finished the champion’s stab in the sixth inning – although there was no real power behind it. They looked bored with the fight at the end of the round, returning to their corner a few seconds early.

A BIG right hand from Okolie! He’s in control 🔥#OkolieLight | @boxxerpic.twitter.com/2JEtjox20D

– Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) March 25, 2023

Okolie ramped up his attack slightly in the seventh round, capturing Light’s body again and enhancing his movement. It’s scrap and very Though. Light feels he has been underestimated many times, and he has a case.

There was some booing in Manchester early on the ninth day. David Light had a good mess late in the last half before being caught with a hard poke from Okolie.

Okolie upgraded her tenth round and injured Light with a right straight hit, followed by another hit and then another. The Kiwi boxer jumps in to attack as he tries to pull his leg back. Okolie switched to hooking, but Light weathered the storm. Good kick from the challenger in the most exciting moment of the fight.

STONE OKOLIE! 😱#OkolieLight | @boxxerpic.twitter.com/8ZUMWigd8U

– Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) March 25, 2023

The eleventh inning saw Light come off the field recovering, but desperately needed a stop to win. Okolie squeezed and squeezed, bringing Light back to the ropes. One point was awarded to the referee for the way that he is holding. The champion responded to that by swinging Light lightly with his right hand, followed by a headbutt. Yet again, the man from New Zealand stood his ground.

A HUGE right hand injures David Light! 😱#OkolieLight | @boxxerpic.twitter.com/kd9eEOOkga

– Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) March 25, 2023

The twelfth day went well, and it was over. The unanimous decision – 116-112, 119-108 and 117-110 – favors Okolie. He rates his performance as five or six out of ten. Honestly, it wasn’t the debut anyone wanted, except for his former promoter.