Briton Lawrence Okolie defended his WBO cruiserweight belt with a comfortable yet scrappy points victory over Michal Cieslak at London’s O2 Arena.
The 29-year-old floored the Polish challenger in the fifth round but was not at his fluent best in a bout where both men continued to grapple and hold.
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The judges’ scorecards read 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112 – all to Okolie.
“It was a flat performance and I allowed it to get messy,” Okolie told 5 Live Boxing.
“This was one of those days where it was tough, awkward, and the guy was physically strong, but I need to work on the mentality that it doesn’t need to be perfect.
“I will go back to the gym, go again and make it right the next time.”
The Londoner now moves closer to a unification bout, with IBF champion Mairis Briedis a possible opponent.
Raucous crowd but scrappy bout
Okolie used his long reach to keep Cieslak at bay
Prime time boxing on a Sunday evening is a rarity and in the build-up to the main event there was a somewhat more placid, yet intimate, atmosphere compared to regular world-title fight nights.
But the 6,000 fans in attendance certainly made themselves heard when Okolie entered the ring alongside former heavyweight champion and mentor Anthony Joshua and UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.
There was also huge Polish support for Cieslak – the arena at times resembling a football ground with chants exchanged between the home and away fans.
Okolie edged the first round with a huge right which landed cleanly in an otherwise scrappy start.
The fighters engaged in more clinches and smothered each other’s advances in rounds two to four but Okolie – with effective jabs to the body – was doing enough to control the fight and win the rounds.
By the fifth round, Okolie had found his range and looked light on his toes. A chopping right glanced the top of Cieslak’s head and then moments later Okolie countered with another right and the challenger was down on one knee.
Cieslak shook off the knockdown and recovered well in the sixth round. He connected with an uppercut in the seventh and a straight left while Okolie was backing away in the eighth – but the champion was the busier fighter.
Okolie twice landed cleanly in the 10th round but as the fight headed to its conclusion, both men started to get more reckless and the holding seemed to worsen.
Despite the ungainly and often ugly nature of the fight, as the final bell rung there was no question as to who the winner was.
What’s next for Okolie?
Latvia’s Mairis Briedis holds the IBF cruiserweight world title
It may not have been his greatest performance to date but Okolie is an undefeated world champion with 18 straight wins as a professional.
The 200lb (14.4 stone) division – compared to other weight classes – has historically struggled for depth. With just a handful of elite-level champions and contenders, he may now be provided an opportunity to unify the division and earn his status as the cruiserweight king.
Congolese fighter Ilunga Makabu – who lost to Briton Tony Bellew in 2016 and beat Cieslak in 2020 – holds the WBC belt and could well be the next man Okolie faces.
There is also undefeated Frenchman Arsen Goulamirian – the WBA ‘Super’ champion – but he has not competed in over two years.
Domestically, Chris Billam-Smith is ranked in the top 10 with all governing bodies and undefeated Richard Riakporhe – who has beaten Billiam-Smith – is also in world-title contention.
The most entertaining and profitable fight for Okolie, however, would be a unification battle against the outspoken and often unpredictable Briedis.
“That’s the fight we want to see,” promoter Eddie Hearn said.
The 37-year-old Briedis caused a stir last year when he got a tattoo calling out YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul – an act which alienated boxing enthusiasts and one which Okolie described as “ridiculous”.
Okolie has spoken of the demands of making weight and if the unification fights do not materialise, he could move up a weight class and attempt to emulate fellow Briton David Haye, American great Evander Holyfield and Ukraine’s current unified champion Oleksandr Usyk in winning world titles at both cruiserweight and heavyweight.
Hearn added: “Okolie will move to heavyweight – you will see him at 16 stone plus – but with his ability he can win all the belts in this division and I’d like to see him do that before he makes the move to heavyweight.”
Yafai stars on debut & Gill thrills with ‘Rocky’ performance
Yafai is tipped to follow in the footsteps of his brother Kal and become a world champion
On the undercard, Olympic gold medallist Galal Yafai made a huge statement on his professional debut, stopping Carlos Bautista in the fifth round to win the WBC international flyweight title.
It was a classy performance from the 29-year-old Birmingham boxer, who won gold in Tokyo last summer.
Southpaw Yafai showcased quick hands, repeatedly pierced the Mexican’s guard and was also solid in defence against an experienced opponent who himself landed a few clean blows.
Yafai finished it off with a beautiful right-left combination to floor Bautista, with the referee stopping the fight just as the corner were about to throw in the towel.
In an absolutely remarkable fight, Jordan ‘The Thrill’ Gill lived up to his name with a sensational ninth-round knockout win over Karim Guerfi to capture the European featherweight title.
Gill was in control until he was unexpectedly floored by the Frenchman in the seventh round. Guerfi continued the onslaught in the next two rounds, with Gill pinned to the corner and the referee poised to stop the fight.
Then, out of nowhere, Gill unleashed an overhand right and Guerfi hit the canvas. Gill, while celebrating, was still on unsteady legs.
“That was one of the most stunning things I have seen,” promoter Eddie Hearn said.
“It was like something out of a Rocky movie. It was not human what Jordan Gill did there. He never quit.”
Earlier in the night, Anthony Fowler earned a hard-fought 10-round points win over Poland’s Lukasz Maciec and undefeated lightweight Campbell Hatton – son of British and Manchester boxing icon Ricky Hatton – continued his education in professional boxing with a sixth-round stoppage win over Joe Ducker.
There was an explosive debut victory for Olympian Cheavon Clarke, the cruiserweight stopping Croatia’s Toni Visi in the second round with a flurry of punches, while undefeated heavyweight Fabio Wardley knocked out American Daniel Martz in the second round.
I’AM ROOTED IN HUMANITY AND DRIVEN BY IMPACTIVE SERVICE:
With nearly 30 years of exemplary military service behind me, my approach to leadership has always been anchored in humility and a profound respect for every individual. These principles are not mere concepts; they are deeply embedded values that influence every decision and action I take.
I firmly believe that true love and genuine selfless service can only originate from God. It is His presence within our hearts, minds, and strength that empowers us to extend sincere care and support to one another. My faith has been the guiding force, shaping my view that life’s true rewards come not from accolades, but from lifting others in their time of need.
Witnessing suffering – whether through poverty, disease, or adversity – stirs a deep compassion within me. I remain steadfast in my hope that one day, the essential needs of every community will be fully met. This vision continues to inspire my goals and fuels my enduring commitment to service.
MY LIFE BUILT ON PURPOSE AND INTERGRITY:
Integrity stands at the core of everything I do. I believe in living authentically, staying true to the person I am, while always striving to evolve into the person I am destined to become. God has blessed each of us with the gift of free will, and with it, the profound responsibility to use that freedom wisely.
Every goal I set is purposeful, pursued with enthusiasm, and carried out with unwavering dedication. Regardless of the final result, I find contentment in knowing that I have given my best, embracing each outcome with gratitude and humility.
Purpose, for me, is not a mere ambition; it is the reason for living. It is about making a tangible impact, however big or small, and knowing that one’s life has contributed meaningfully to the world.
FULFILLING MY CALLING OF SERVICE:
The most profound mission in life, I believe, is to answer the call for which we were created. Whether on the battlefield, within the community, or through personal growth, I have always sought to serve a purpose greater than myself.
Every act of service, no matter how modest, contributes to a larger tapestry of positive change. I am committed to ensuring that my time, my talents, and my energy are dedicated to making a difference leaving behind a legacy of compassion, strength, and hope.
To me, success is not measured by personal achievements alone but by the lives we touch and the hope we inspire. If through my service I can make even the smallest difference, then I believe I have truly fulfilled my purpose.
WE MUST UNITE IN PROGRESS AND HOPE:
I firmly hold to the belief that unity is our greatest strength. “United we stand, divided we fall” is more than just a phrase; it is a timeless truth that reminds us of the power of collective effort. By standing together, supporting one another, and striving for common goals, we create a future rich with promise and opportunity.
Growth and progress are not achieved in isolation. They flourish when communities come together, bound by mutual respect, understanding, and a shared commitment to a better tomorrow. It is through unity that we overcome adversity, and through cooperation that we achieve lasting success.
The journey ahead may be filled with challenges, but with a spirit of togetherness and an unwavering focus on service and integrity, I am confident that we can continue to grow, prosper, and uplift one another.
I STAND ON LEGACY OF SERVICE AND FAITH:
As I reflect on my life’s journey, I remain deeply grateful for the experiences that have shaped me. Every moment of service, every challenge faced, and every act of compassion has reinforced my belief that a life of humility, purpose, and unwavering faith is a life well lived.
May we all strive to serve with heart, live with purpose, and unite in a spirit of hope and progress. Together, there is no limit to what we can achieve.
United We Stand – Divided We Fall. Together, We Grow and Progress!
Kaduna State Government will convene an Education Summit as part of its strategy to bring about transformative change in the education sector, which will be anchored on four strategic pillars.
The Commissioner for Education, Professor Muhammad Sani Bello, who disclosed this while inaugurating the steering committee, further said that the event will be titled KADA EDUPACT International Summit 2025″.
According to him, one of the pillars is the Policy/Governance/Innovative Education Financing Pillar.
The Commissioner also listed the Access and Retention, Credible Learning Outcomes From Quality Inputs Pillars, as well as the Technology and Innovation pillars.
Prof Bello argued that the main objective of the summit is “to forge an Educational Pact between the government and the people, establishing commitment to shared model for education delivery, measurable outcomes and clearly defined negotiables.”
He further said that experts will make motivating presentations, adding that the Summit will provide opportunity for robust discussions on local and international investments in education, policy-making as well as technological innovations for improved teaching and learning.
The Commissioner also assured that a comprehensive education development roadmap for Kaduna State would fashioned out during the summit.
He said that the Director General of Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority, Professor Usman Abubakar Zaria, will coordinate the activities of the steering committee, whose membership cuts across relevant Ministries Department and Agencies.
Sub-committees to handle various aspects of the summit were announced immediately after the steering committee was inaugurated.
The Oyo State Police Command has uncovered a human trafficking ring in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
In a major operation, the police rescued 83 individuals and a child from a house in the Orogun area of the city, where they had allegedly been held for an undisclosed period.
Preliminary reports suggest that the victims, believed to be nationals of the Democratic Republic of Congo, were lured to Nigeria under the pretence of being offered employment opportunities.
There are also claims that the perpetrators extorted significant sums of money, reportedly in dollars, from the victims’ parents and relatives as part of the elaborate scheme.
The rescued individuals are currently at the Police Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, where authorities are conducting further investigations to ascertain the full details of the case.
