Lawrence Okolie believes he will be re-energized by a move to the new bridgeweight division and eventually boxing at heavyweight.
Live in Poland on May 24 Sky SportsOkoli will challenge holder Lukasz Rozanski for the new WBC 224lb title.
Ultimately he plans to campaign at heavyweight and is targeting a fight with fellow Londoner Dillian Whyte.
“Why is Dillian back now,” Okuli said Sky Sports. “Obviously everyone knows from back when I was Commonwealth and British champion that I wanted that fight is definitely on my radar. Beyond that we’ll see how the landscape looks.
“I’m watching the heavyweights and seeing how much fun they’re having out there. I want to go too.
Okoli has previously shared the ring with the world’s top heavyweights in the spring.
He helped Tyson Fury and Joseph Parker both prepare for their breakout performances against Deontay Wilder and he saved Anthony Joshua and Joe Joyce among others.
He believes he can perform at a high level and the former WBO cruiserweight world champion is confident he can unlock his full potential at the new weight with new trainer Joe Gallagher.
“It has come at the right time. New weight class, new energy, new trainer. I am ready to take the bridgeweight and then heavyweight scene by storm,” he declared.
Okolie has trained with Gallagher in Saudi Arabia and Champs Camp Gym in Mossside.
“He put me through session after session of just the worst kind. What he said to me later: ‘I just want to see if you really still want it.’ I do, so it’s good,” laughed Okoli.
Lindner believes winning the Bridgeweight belt could land him in a rematch with Chris Blum-Smith, who beat him to become the WBO cruiserweight champion last May: “He and Rickpurhy have had a fight. Obviously its a winner, it’s a great battle. [for Okolie].
“Whichever one of them wins, I’m ready for it,” he continued. “Obviously I’d prefer Chris to win because then we can get a rematch at Bridgeweight. I’m sure they’ll be up for it.”
But first he has to defeat Rozanski in Poland on May 24. “That guy is good,” said Okoli. “Invincible, 90 percent KO ratio, I’m going to his village.
“It’s a tough job but I’m going to go in there and break it and break it.”
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