Okolie set to defend his cruiserweight title against Cieslak
Cieslak, 32, has just the one defeat on his 22-fight record, suffered in 2020 against WBC champion Ilunga Junior Makabu
Nigeria born British boxer Lawrence Okolie will make the second defence of his WBO cruiserweight world title as he takes on Michal Cieslak at the O2 Arena next Sunday.
The 6ft 5in giant of a cruiserweight won the belt with a stunning sixth-round stoppage victory over Krzysztof Glowacki in March last year, before making his first defence against Dilan Prasovic six months later, needing just three rounds to see off his opponent on the Anthony Joshua-Oleksandr Usyk undercard.
The 29-year-old, who has spoken of a potentially imminent move to the heavyweight division, was instead looking to take on IBF champion Mairis Briedis in an enticing unification showdown.
Briedis, who seems to be thinking of a different path, having called for a fight against Jake Paul, is set to defend his belt against the unbeaten Jai Opetaia, though according to reports their proposed April 6 date has been pushed back after the champion tested positive for Covid.
Cieslak, 32, has just the one defeat on his 22-fight record, suffered in 2020 against WBC champion Ilunga Junior Makabu, in what was his one and only professional fight to date outside of his home country of Poland.
The pair came face-to-face at the announcement press conference in January, and Okolie insisted he's in for the toughest test of his career.
'I believe on paper this could be one of the hardest fights,' he said. 'Until you actually get in the ring, you never know what someone's got.
'Watching Cieslak's fights, he's a very good technical boxer. He's got some power and good speed. All in all, it poses to be a very good challenging fight.
'I believe I'm going to go on to unify the division. One of the main things that we focus on and try to keep fit is mindset.
'So I'm making sure that we practice the mind, practice the body, put yourself in interesting situations and hold yourself accountable. I'm ready for this. This is a stage that I was made for. This is a fight I was made for.'
He continued: 'As soon as a fight is made, Cieslak is the only thing I think of. I've got a picture of him in my room. I watched all of his interviews. I don't understand any of them but I like to watch his mannerisms. I've watched all of his fights. I know him and that's what I focus on. Michael Cieslak. After that, we can talk about everyone else.'
Michal Cieslak meanwhile insisted it's he who will emerge victorious. 'It's surely a big fight for Polish boxing,' he said. 'I can't wait to actually attend the fight. I'm training very hard, and I can't wait to fight.
