Boxing
Eddie Hearn: Lawrence Okolie can unify the division before moving to heavyweight
Promoter Eddie Hearn said that Lawrence Okolie will aim to become undisputed cruiserweight champion before moving up into the heavyweight division.
Oleksandr Usyk managed the same feat, earning himself the designation as the WBO heavyweight interim champion in the process.
28-year-old Okolie defeated Krzyszstof Glowacki to claim the vacant WBO title at Wembley on Saturday in just his 16th fight.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the fight, Hearn praised his fighter for his exceptional display.
"My goodness was he good enough. Not just good enough, an absolute masterclass," Hearn said.
"The jab, the footwork, the right hand. The work on the inside, the spinning off.
"That was a good enough performance to beat any cruiserweight in the division, and that's what we want to do now.”
Hearn said that the plans for the future would be to win the remaining three belts in the division before moving up a weight class.
He said: "We don't want to muck around, we want to go straight for all the titles and unify the division and then move up to heavyweight.
"He's got scary power, but he used to be all power. Now he's got the jab, he's got the movement, he's got the knowledge up here. (Trainer) Shane (McGuigan) has done a tremendous job."
Okolie said that he hopes to fight IBF champion Mairis Briedis next.
