Former two-weight world champion given surprise heavyweight rankings boost after just one round in division

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Lawrence Okolie has surged up the heavyweight rankings despite fighting just one round in the division.

British star Okolie has spent the vast majority of his career at cruiserweight where he reigned as a WBO world champion.

Okolie has earned a huge WBC rankings boost[/caption]

He then picked up a second belt at the newly established division of bridgerweight, beating Lukasz Rozanski in May 2024 to claim the WBC belt.

‘The Sauce’ then recently graduated to heavyweight to fulfil his long-term objective, blasting out Hussein Muhamed on his debut in December in just round to earn the WBC silver belt.

But incredibly despite having had just one short outing in the blue-riband division, Okolie finds himself well in the world title mix.

He has been moved up two places from third position to the leader in the latest WBC ratings list, despite throwing just a small amount of punches.

Okolie leaped above Zhilei Zhang, who was brutally stopped by Agit Kabayel in their clash last month.

As a result, Kabayel is now the WBC interim champion so is not included in the ratings.

For that reason, Okolie is ranked first, but is not yet first in line for a shot at the famous green belt held by champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Anthony Joshua has also moved up to sit in second behind Okolie, despite not throwing a punch.

That is because Martin Bakole was beaten by Joseph Parker, having stepped in on the same card at short notice and being brutally knocked out.

It will be a big period for Okolie who has spoken passionately about his efforts to try and reach the pinnacle of the division.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 07: Lawrence Okolie knocks out Hussein Muhamed during the WBC Silver Heavyweight title fight between Lawrence Okolie and Hussein Muhamed at OVO Arena Wembley on December 07, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images) — Okolie flattened his first heavyweight rival in one round

He will next face Richard Riakporhe on April 5 in Manchester, a familiar rival who too has made the step up from cruiserweight.

It is a domestic dust-up which will see the winner look to continue to quickly step up to world level contention.

Okolie has already feuded physically with Riakporhe, as the pair nearly came to blows at a movie premiere in 2023.

Tensions are high and they continued as he vowed that he has the power to end the contest early.

He said: “I’ve been a level above him for a long time.

“From the amateurs; Olympics; pro. I was world champion. I’m always steaming forwards – now we’re here.

Okolie is preparing for his next outing against Riakporhe in April[/caption]

“I’ve tried to make this fight with other promoters, and it hasn’t come off.

“I expect to just break him. I’m the best on this table, let alone Richard Riakporhe, so it is what it is.

“I’m gonna deal with you, and deal with you in good fashion, and then you can go back to kissing Madonna and your modelling career. We’ll leave it at that.”