In front of a massive Wembley Stadium crowd, Lawrence Okolie stepped into the ring on Saturday night hoping to make a bold statement in his new heavyweight journey.
And while he walked away with a clear victory over South Africa’s Kevin Lerena, it wasn’t the kind of performance that had fans buzzing afterward.
Okolie Stays in Control But Plays It Safe
The 31-year-old former WBO cruiserweight champion did what he had to do.
Over ten rounds, he outpointed Lerena comfortably, with the judges scoring it 100-90, 100-90, and 99-91 in his favor.
That pushed his record to 22 wins and just one loss, with 16 of those victories coming by knockout.
Okolie used his natural advantages—he’s taller, rangier, and heavier—to keep Lerena at bay.
His jab did the majority of the work, controlling distance and setting the rhythm.
When Lerena tried to get close, Okolie either smothered the attack or reset the fight on his terms.
Wembley Crowd Left Waiting for Fireworks
But for the 60,000 fans in attendance, the fight never really caught fire.
Okolie remained cool and composed throughout, but didn’t show much urgency or creativity.
He had Lerena where he wanted him, but never stepped on the gas to press for a stoppage.
Even during a brief exchange in round six—when Lerena landed a clean left hook—Okolie quickly regained control.
At one point in round nine, while clinched with his opponent, Okolie even glanced up at the big screen to check how much time was left.
That moment summed up the night—methodical and cautious rather than thrilling.
Lerena’s Late Push Falls Flat
In the final round, Lerena made a last-ditch attempt to spark some action.
He theatrically pointed to the center of the ring, inviting Okolie to go toe-to-toe.
But Okolie wasn’t having it. Instead of trading punches in the closing seconds, he stuck to his plan—safe, calculated, and entirely risk-free.
Lerena, who once dropped Daniel Dubois three times in a single round, never managed to get into gear.
His southpaw stance and known power weren’t enough to break through Okolie’s defense.
What This Win Means for Okolie
For Okolie, the victory solidifies his status among the next wave of heavyweight contenders—especially under the Queensberry Promotions banner.
He’s currently ranked No. 1 by the WBC, so his name will remain in the mix for future title shots.
But the lack of excitement in this win may leave fans and matchmakers questioning whether he’s ready for the division’s elite.
Physically, he’s bulked up by around 60 pounds since moving up from cruiserweight, but that hasn’t yet translated into more aggressive or dynamic performances.
His movement is still sharp, but the low punch output and cautious approach might hold him back against top-tier heavyweights like Usyk, Fury, or Joshua.
A Big Domestic Fight Still on the Horizon
Originally, Okolie was supposed to face fellow Brit Richard Riakporhe back in April, but he pulled out due to injury.
That fight remains a high-stakes domestic showdown that could help him reintroduce himself as a serious threat in the division.
But he’ll need to bring more fire next time if he wants to win over fans—and intimidate rivals.
What’s Next for Lerena?
As for Kevin Lerena, he showed resilience but struggled to make any real impact.
The South African heavyweight has proven he’s durable, but this loss might put a pause on his hopes for big-name fights in the near future.