Lawrence Okolie on defending world title, unification fights and potential move to heavyweight

«More world titles, nine figures in the bank with residual income of seven-plus figures a year, established community projects, make my mum even more proud and set up my family up with their own businesses.»

The words of WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie show he has a clear, unwavering plan of what he wants to achieve in boxing.

The next stop on the 29-year-old's journey to fulfilling those ambitions is a second defence of his world title against Poland's Michal Cieslak at London's O2 Arena on Sunday.

Cieslak has won 21 professional bouts, with the only loss a world-title challenge against Congo's WBC champion Ilunga Makabu in 2020.

«He's a top 10 boxer and, at world level, everyone comes game,» Okolie tells BBC Sport.

«I'm prepared for a tough fight, but I'll always go in optimistic that I'll make easy work of it. It's win at all costs, but with a good boxing display, a knockout will come.»

In 2018 — on the undercard of Anthony Joshua v Alexander Povetkin at Wembley Stadium — Okolie left the ring to resounding jeers after winning the British cruiserweight title on points in a scrappy fight against Matty Askin.

In a bout perhaps better suited to a wrestling mat — constant grapples resulted in Okolie being deducted three points for holding — there were was a feeling the tall and rangy boxer's awkward style was far from fan-friendly.

But Okolie answered those critics with five conclusive and consecutive knockout wins — all within seven rounds — to set up a shot at the world title.

The remarkable turnaround was then complete in March last year when he stopped Poland's Krzysztof Glowacki in the sixth round to become champion in only his 16th bout.

While admitting he has now won over many of those fans who booed him,