Wasserman’s Boxing’s Kalle Sauerland told NoSmokeBoxing in an exclusive interview that a much-discussed Cruiserweight unification fight between World Boxing Super Series Winner/IBF Champion, Latvia’s Mairis Briedis (28-1) and Hackney’s unbeaten WBO Champion Lawrence Okolie (18-0) is the one they want to make next.
According to Sauerland, they will be looking to put Briedis in with Okolie should the Latvian get past his undefeated Australian mandatory challenger Jai Opetaia on May 11 in Queensland. Sauerland indicated that they would be willing to work with any promoter to make the best fights and in this case, they would be willing to work with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom to make Briedis Okolie in the second half of 2022.
Lawrence Okolie has been mentioning a fight with the consensus #1 at 200-pounds since even before he won his vacant championship against Glowacki 12 months ago. However, the urge for a unification fight is now more than ever Okolie’s days at Cruiserweight are undoubtedly numbered due to his size and stature.
What’s Next for Lawrence Okolie?
Promoter Eddie Hearn is insistent that Okolie must unify next and with Goulamarian having Egorov as mandatory and the Canelo carrot being repeatedly dangled at WBC Champion Makabu, really the only option is Briedis. Briedis Okolie is also the biggest fight at Junior Heavyweight between the #1 and #2 and would make a lot of sense for the last quarter of 2022.
However, with Okolie boxing Poland’s Cieslak in February he will not want to sit out till October/November when Briedis would be available and may attempt to make a fight with one of the other two champions, or make another voluntary defence. Alternatively, Okolie has stated he would like a fight at heavyweight.
FULL KALLE SAUERLAND EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW HERE
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