Okolie vs Chamberlain: WBA Continental cruiserweight title at stake

Matchroom today confirmed that the WBA Continental cruiserweight championship will be on the line when Britons Lawrence Okolie and Issac Chamberlain clash at London’s O2 Arena on February 3rd.

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Both Okolie and Chamberlain come into the fight undefeated, the addition of the WBA continental championship adds another interesting narrative to this already simmering grudge match.

25-year-old Okolie made his professional debut in March, 2017, an occasion he marked by demolishing Geoffrey Cave in just 20 seconds. Okolie has fought a further six times since victory over Cave, his record standing at six TKO victories from seven bouts, a handy 88% knockout ratio.

The “Sauce” is handled by IBF, WBA “super” and IBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua’s promotional company – aptly named “AJ Bxing”.

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Hackney-born Okolie also enjoyed a solid amateur career, overcoming American hopeful Cam F. Awesome and qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Chamberlain comes in to the fight on a run of three consecutive stoppage wins and boasts a record of four KO’s in nine.

However, the Brixton-born puncher showed huge heart to clinch the Southern Area belt last September against Wadi Camacho, despite suffering a dislocated shoulder in the third round.

Following confirmation of the fight, Chamberlain said:

“It’s been a long time coming. I’m pleased we have finished and signed off on all the negotiations, now that is done we can focus on the fight. It’s a great fight for British boxing fans.”

“Nothing has been given to me and I still have that underdog mentality – everything I want I have to go and get it, I’ve earnt my stripes.

“That’s made me a lot stronger fighter and that’s going to show on February 3. I want to knock him out. I’m going to knock him out. I’m going to train so hard, I’m going to knock him out cold.”