Boxing
Lawrence Okolie Signs With Eddie Hearn Rival Frank Warren & Queensberry Promotions Ahead Of Assault On Heavyweight Division
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Get to know Paul Kelly betterPublished25 Oct 2024
Former WBO world cruiserweight and WBC bridgerweight king Lawrence Okolie has signed with Frank Warren and Queensberry Promotions. The former Matchroom Boxing star ditched Eddie Hearn in what was a bitter split at the end of 2022, and has now signed with his biggest rival.
Lawrence Okolie Signs With Frank Warren & Queensberry Promotions
Former WBO World Cruiserweight Champion Lawrence Okolie has signed on the dotted line with Frank Warren and Queensberry Promotions.
After winning a world title in both the cruiserweight and bridgerweight division, Okolie now has his sights set on conquering the heavyweight division too.
Under Warren, ‘The Sauce’ will be hopeful of winning a world title in a third weight class. On g with Queensberry Promotions and Frank Warren, the 31-year-old said:
Lawrence possesses all the attributes to make a big impact at heavyweight
There are so many exciting fights and options out there for Lawrence and I am so looking forward to getting him started again! https://t.co/vTmB3JUo85
— Frank Warren (@FrankWarren) October 25, 2024
“If you are a heavyweight in Britain or the world, it is the Warrens. They’ve got the best up and coming heavyweights, the best current heavyweights and the best who are on their way out.
“I needed to find a home that would cater for this next period, right to the end of my career, which is the heavyweight dream of being a three-weight world champion.
“I’m a natural for the weight, right from being on the GB team. I have been struggling with making weight but, when you have success, you keep on pushing it. I even had to come down to make bridgerweight, so I knew it was time to go up,” Okolie said.
The only loss on Okolie’s record was as a big favourite with the Chris Billam-Smith last May. Now, he aims to go on a run at heavyweight with fights against the biggest names in the division under Frank Warren and Queensberry Promotions.
Time for ‘The Sauce’ to stir up the heavyweight division 🧑🍳 pic.twitter.com/lJd2qvqfkN
— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) October 25, 2024
Okolie Signs With Eddie Hearn Rival After Bitter Split In 2022
It was well documented at the time that Lawrence Okolie and former promoter Eddie Hearn didn’t exactly have an amicable split, but Okolie’s g with Queensberry will have added even more fuel to the fire.
Both Matchroom Boxing, Hearn’s company, and Queensberry Promotions, Warren’s business, have been working alongside each other for over a year now in what was a surprise link-up at the time.
However, due to the super-fights being staged in Saudi Arabia and as part of Riyadh Season, it is in both Hearn and Warren’s best interests to have a solid business relationship together.
This g of ‘The Sauce’ to Frank Warren’s growing stable of top heavyweights will add another layer to the deep-rooted rivalry between the British boxing promoters. Yes, the pair may be friendly now and get on well, but deep down they are still bitter rivals desperate to one-up each other at every occasion.
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