Okolie Claims Round-One TKO in Heavyweight Debut
Lawrence Okolie made a sensational start to his heavyweight career with a first-round TKO victory over Hussein Muhamed at Wembley’s OVO Arena. The former cruiserweight world champion landed a perfectly timed counter-right hand that sent Muhamed crashing to the canvas with just 46 seconds remaining in the round.
Muhamed, who, like Okolie, had only suffered one defeat previously, could not recover from the blow. After rising to his feet at the count of eight, he stumbled towards the referee, who promptly waved off the contest, declaring Okolie the winner.
“As soon as I hit them, they start going. I’m ready for the best in the world,” Okolie said after his victory.
The 31-year-old made the jump from cruiserweight to heavyweight after losing his WBO cruiserweight title to Chris Billam-Smith last year. He had previously won the WBC bridgerweight title in May before signing with promoter Frank Warren and stepping up to the heavyweight division.
Okolie’s Heavyweight Transition
Okolie weighed in at 18st 6lb on the Friday before the fight, which was 2.5 stone heavier than his last fight and more than 4 stone heavier than his contest with Billam-Smith. He expressed confidence in his new weight, saying:
“I felt tired having to make that [cruiserweight] – now I know every round I can be explosive and then recover.”
Although he has faced criticism for his grappling and clinching style, Okolie delivered an explosive performance in his heavyweight debut, and promoter Frank Warren has already hinted at big fights in 2025 for the Hackney fighter.
Bentley Outpoints Pauls, Adeleye Demolishes Dacres
In the main event, Denzel Bentley won both the British and European middleweight titles with a hard-fought victory over Brad Pauls, edging the contest on points. Bentley dropped Pauls in the 10th round with a seemingly innocuous jab. The victory keeps Bentley on track for a second world-title shot after his loss to WBO champion Janibek Alimkhanuly in 2022.
Meanwhile, David Adeleye sent shockwaves through the heavyweight division with a stunning first-round stoppage of the previously undefeated Solomon Dacres. Adeleye’s powerful lead left hook, which came just 1 minute 20 seconds into the fight, sent Dacres crashing into the ropes and down to the canvas.
In other action, Sam Noakes maintained his undefeated record with a dominant unanimous decision win over Ryan Walsh, while his brother Sean Noakes outpointed Matthew Rennie.
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