World News – UK – Okolie Seeks New Cruiserweight Title Fight Foe With Glowacki Out

This opportunity is likely to stay in the game, just not against the opponent, for whom he is mentally and physically prepared the entire time.

The search for a replacement opponent is on to challenge Okolie for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) cruiserweight title, as the former two-time title list Krzystof Glowacki (31-2, 19KOs) was forced to test positive for COVID to retire -19 before the planned meeting on 12. December at the SSE Arena in Wembley.

Eddie Hearns Matchroom Boxing, Okolie’s career promoter, announced the news Thursday, insisting that a new opponent be announced in time. Boxing scene. com has learned that the matter is currently being examined with the WBO to determine the suitability of the ultimately selected surrogate enemy.

« The search is on, » Hearn said on Twitter. « All of the top 10 cruiser weights slide into my DMs [direct messages]. « 

The rest of the show remains intact, including the main event of the evening. Anthony Joshua (23-1, 21KOs) returns to the ring for the first time since earning his heavyweight title when he defends himself against mandatory IBF challenger Kubrat Pulev (28-1, 14KOs). . The event takes place before 1. 000 viewers, all of whom must adhere to strict social distancing and health measures.

The test result was devastating for Glowacki for obvious health reasons, but especially given his journey to that point.

The Pole Glowacki had to appeal twice against the result of his last fight – a controversial knockout loss in the 3. Round against Mairis Briedis in the semifinals of the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) last June in Riga, Latvia – to secure the game an opportunity to fight for his old title. The matter was finally settled last November and Briedis was ordered to start a rematch with Glowacki or to vacate his WBO title.

Briedis chose the latter to continue his WBSS final against Yuniel Dorticos. The fight was postponed three times before finally taking place last September. Briedis won a 12-round decision and top honors in the tournament as well as recognition as king in the direct cruiserweight division.

Meanwhile, the vacant title has been occupied with a showdown between Glowacki and Hackneys Okolie (14-0, 11KOs) according to a decision made during the WBO’s annual meeting in Tokyo last December. The two sides agreed on terms, although securing a fight date proved problematic even before the coronavirus pandemic. The causes included trying to find a home for a fight to pair with: Gennadiy Golovkin (40-1-1, 35KOs) in a mandatory middleweight title defense against Kamil Szeremeta (21-0, 5KOs), Glowacki’s stable companion.

This fight is now on 18. December in Hollywood, Florida, but with Szeremeta without the services of Fiodor Lapin, who also tested positive for COVID-19 and can no longer make the trip.

None of this has proven worthwhile waiting for Glowacki as the Polish South Paw is set to enter 2021 with an extended inactive streak and now has to watch someone battle twice for the title he held.

Okolie, who represented Great Britain at the 2016 Rio Olympics, earned his seat at the table after Yves Ngabu was stopped in the seventh round against undefeated cruiser weights last October at The O2 in Greenwich, London.

According to WBO rules and regulations, protocol requires that the next available candidate with the highest rank be given priority in filling such a void.

BoxingScene. com have learned that Dilan Praspvic (14-0, 11KOs) is out of the running as the undefeated Montenegro contender cannot reach cruiserweight in time for such a fight. BoxingScene has been contacted by representatives from at least three other cruiser weights. com insists they were offered the fight although such details have not been confirmed with Matchroom Boxing as it will be made public.

[QUOTE = Mammoth; 20926159] Are you rated with the WBO? Okolie and Riakhpore would be godly. These guys are a few cuddly monsters. [/QUOTE]

I like him, yeah. I can’t imagine Okolie in a great fight with anyone, but I would . . .

The 15th. WBO type Jürgen Uldedaj will already be on 12. December fighting in Germany. If WBO agrees, all he does is change the venue and opponent and get a big chance and payday and save the card.

[QUOTE = DougalDylan; 20926105] TISHCHENKO 8-0 has honestly never heard of him, but he’s next on the list. [/QUOTE]
Didn’t he win gold in the last Olympics?

Riakhpore is the top 10 from memory.

[QUOTE = Mammoth; 20926159] Are you rated with the WBO? Okolie and Riakhpore would be godly. These guys are a few cuddly monsters. [/ QUOTE]

Lawrence Okolie, Krzysztof Głowacki, Anthony Joshua, Eddie Hearn, Kubrat Pulev, World Boxing Organization, Matchroom Sport