Lawrence Okolie believes his lack of ability to recall sparring Hussein Muhamed is a mirrored image of the German not impressing him.
The previous WBO cruiserweight champion on Saturday at Wembley Enviornment fights at heavyweight for the primary time, seven months after – within the frivolously regarded bridgerweight division – stopping Poland’s Lukasz Rozanski inside a spherical.
In accordance with the 31-year-old Muhamed – whose solely defeat in 19 skilled contests got here towards Kazakhstan’s Zhan Kossobutskiy in 2022 – they sparred whereas in Anthony Joshua’s coaching camp forward of Joshua’s combat with Wladimir Klitschko in 2017.
Okolie, additionally 31, regardless insists that he has no recollection of doing so, and was stunned to be advised that that was what Muhammed had stated.
“I don’t bear in mind, and that’s not an excellent factor,” he advised BoxingScene. “‘Trigger I often bear in mind the those who I sparred, so he should not have been that good.
“Particularly – I’d have been a cruiserweight on the time. I bear in mind many of the heavyweights I’ve sparred, as a result of there’s a hazard issue; I’m slipping photographs; how do I really feel about how the spar went?
“I’d recommend [he didn’t make much of an impression on me]. [But] all that issues is the day – I’m going to go in there and try to get the KO. That’s what I’m going to do.”
Okolie relished his combat at bridgerweight, which adopted his solely defeat – by Chris Billam-Smith in 2023 – in his last contest at cruiserweight.
From his earliest days as knowledgeable he appeared on track to at some point compete at heavyweight, however he revealed that he plans on remaining mild, to prioritize his potential pace benefit, and in addition believes that his transition right into a heavyweight has been made kinder by the combat with Rozanski in Could.
“It was an excellent stop-off, undoubtedly,” he stated. “I’ve been capable of eat extra; do some bit heavier weightlifting, and so forth, however we’re nonetheless discovering the stability. For this combat I’d like 110kgs, so I must lose just a little little bit of weight. Now I’ve seen him in individual, he’s an enormous man – I wish to be explosive and sharp to get him out of there.
“Velocity. It’s a combination, as a result of I don’t wish to be too mild and get pushed round, so the 108 or 110 is an effective area the place I’ll be capable to punch arduous, however on the similar time evade photographs. A man like this, who’s going to be coming in, attempting to throw large photographs – I must earn his respect by hitting him clear and arduous, after which go from there.
“It’s been the very best. Not draining myself is tremendous vital. Being match; being robust, being quick, and never being weight-drained, so I’m anticipating the very best of myself.
“ photos [of me at cruiserweight and bridgerweight]; how I felt; how I made the load, had been two fully various things. How I carried out as properly.
“It’s all about alternative. If I’m ok, I’m gonna win.
“The principle goal is to field somebody that’s within the prime 4 or 5 of the WBC, after which, God keen I win that, go for a world-title shot.”
