Former cruiserweight world champion Lawrence Okolie has revealed that his choice to battle in Nigeria for the primary time in his skilled profession was impressed by his mom, Elizabeth, who was born in Lagos.
The 32-year-old will headline a Balmoral Group promotion on Sunday at Onikan Stadium, Lagos, the place he faces Ebenezer Tetteh in the primary occasion, streamed stay on DAZN. It marks a deeply private second for Okolie, who has lengthy spoken of his pleasure in his Nigerian heritage regardless of being born and raised in England.
Okolie, who was born in Stoke Newington, Hackney, to Nigerian mother and father Elizabeth and Lawrence Sr., attended faculty domestically and went on to characterize Workforce GB on the Olympics. Though his boxing profession has largely unfolded within the UK, he says returning to Nigeria to battle carries a particular significance.
“Having the ability to battle there now’s the perfect,” Okolie stated. “For my mum, my dad, for the heritage — to point out my expertise and take it again to the town my mother and father have been born in.”
Based on Okolie, the ultimate push got here from his mom, who was adamant that he ought to seize the chance as soon as a Lagos battle was proposed.
“Initially I used to be a bit 50–50,” he advised The Ring. “There was a present in England the place Derek Chisora was meant to headline and I used to be contemplating that.
“However when the Nigeria alternative got here, my mum was shouting at me: ‘It’s a must to take it.’ So I did, as an alternative of the standard route — and it’s labored out. She’s over the moon.”
Okolie stated the prospect of boxing in entrance of Nigerian followers has crammed him with pleasure, describing the environment he expects as electrical.
“There’s screaming from ladies, males, youngsters — simply everybody,” he stated. “There’s an electrical energy and pleasure about it. It’s like soccer followers watching their staff. I can’t wait to really feel that power.”
He added that many relations and buddies in Nigeria have solely adopted his profession from afar.
“Plenty of them can solely ship congratulations and have by no means really watched me battle stay,” Okolie defined. “Now they get to see it in individual. Uncles and aunties who at all times ship prayers shall be there, within the dressing room, wishing me nicely. Then I can exit and make it occur.”
The bout comes as Okolie continues his transition to heavyweight. Since shifting up 12 months in the past, he has remained unbeaten, stopping Hussein Muhamed within the first spherical at Wembley Area final December earlier than claiming a 10-round choice victory over Kevin Lerena at Wembley Stadium in July.
His opponent, Tetteh, 37, has confronted a number of British heavyweights in latest outings and was stopped by Dillian Whyte and Frazer Clarke in successive fights. Regardless of that, Okolie insists the event, somewhat than the statistics, is what makes Sunday evening particular.
Having just lately attended a Balmoral present in Lagos the place Brandon Glanton pressured Marcus Browne right into a sixth-round retirement, Okolie stated the expertise sealed his need to be a part of the Nigerian boxing scene.
“I went to that occasion in October and acquired FOMO,” he stated. “Now I’m right here, and I can’t wait.”
For Okolie, the Lagos battle is extra than simply one other contest — it’s a homecoming formed by heritage, household, and a mom’s unwavering perception.
