Nigerian-born British boxer Lawrence Okolie made an emphatic statement in his heavyweight debut, delivering a devastating first-round knockout against Hussein Muhamed at Wembley Arena. The former WBO cruiserweight champion showcased his power and new physique, dismantling his opponent with a trademark right hand that left Muhamed crumpled on the canvas.
The victory comes just six months after Okolie’s disappointing cruiserweight title loss to Chris Billam-Smith. Now competing at a robust 18st 8lbs, “The Sauce” has embraced his new division with confidence and explosive strength.
“I felt good,” Okolie said post-fight. “That’s my second first-round KO in a row. Since moving up, I feel a lot more explosive. When I hit these guys, they’re going down. I’m ready for the best in the world at any weight.”
Okolie admitted the struggles of maintaining cruiserweight had taken a toll on his performance. “At cruiserweight, I felt tired because of the weight cut. Now, I feel strong and natural. Every round, I know I can go explosive, recover, and go again.”
Muhamed, who entered the fight with a promising record built in Germany, appeared overmatched from the outset. Okolie controlled the early moments with probing jabs, while Muhamed offered little in return.
When Muhamed finally attempted to throw a punch toward the end of the first round, Okolie countered with a perfectly timed right hand, dropping his opponent to the mat. Though Muhamed managed to get back on his feet, the referee waved off the fight, recognizing his inability to continue.
The win positions Okolie as a serious contender in the heavyweight division, setting the stage for matchups against higher-caliber opponents.
“I feel happier and a lot more solid at this weight,” Okolie added. “Now, I’m ready to take on the best.”
With his impressive debut, Okolie has reignited excitement around his career and is ready to take on the challenges of boxing’s biggest division.
