Boxing: Lawrence Okolie v Michal Cieslak Preview

We’re off to the battered and bruised O2 Arena on Sunday night as the iconic east London venue recovers from it’s destruction at the hands of Storm Eunice.

There’s also expected to be some brutality inside on DAZN’s latest boxing card, as Lawrence “Sauce” Okolie puts his WBO cruiserweight title on the line against Poland’s Michal Cieslak.

Okolie believes himself to be the numero uno in the cruiserweight division – a convincing performance against the tough #6 ranked fighter will be just the tonic to underline that view.

Let’s take a closer look at the fight and the betting for Sunday night.

Okolie’s toughest test?

Lawrence Okolie (17-0) is one to watch in 2022.

The unbeaten British cruiserweight picked up a world title last year and is looking to bring that momentum into the new year.

Okolie has DAZN, 258 Management and Anthony Joshua in his corner and will be

targetting a dominant display in London to underline his credentials as the world’s

best 175-pounder.

Since teaming up with trainer – and son of Barry – Shane McGuigan, Lawrence

Okolie has found genuine power in his artillery.

His foot movement has enabled him to pick his shots more comfortably without

getting tied up and his willingness to sit down on his shots is telling.

The Londoner has recorded seven stoppage victories in a row and Cieslak’s punch resistance is expected to be tested on Sunday evening.

Cieslak into deep waters

Michal Cieslak is a bit of an unknown quantity on UK shores, but is well ranked at number six in the cruiserweight division.

The Pole lacks that notable win on his record but did push WBC champion Illunga Makabu close in 2020, losing on the cards by scores of 116-111, 114-112, 115-111 fighting on away soil for the first time.

Cieslak has experience in bundles but hasn’t come up against someone with the power and accuracy as Lawrence Okolie enough to be given much of a chance on Sunday.

The Pick

Okolie’s athleticism and power have become a real threat in the cruiserweight

division over the past few years.

Okolie’s future may well be at heavyweight with his big, muscular frame perfect to

add weight onto, but for now, he should make fairly light work of Cieslak.

The cruiserweight division isn’t exactly stacked at the moment and we’ve got a

suspicion that Cieslak’s #6 ranking is a bit of a misnome.

Okolie by stoppage – probably in the first half of the contest.