Lawrence Okolie delivered a strong performance on the undercard of the Usyk vs Dubois 2 event, defeating South African heavyweight Kevin Lerena by unanimous decision. The fight marked another key step in Okolie’s transition from cruiserweight champion to serious heavyweight contender.

From the opening bell, Okolie used his size, reach, and jab to keep Lerena at bay. Weighing in at 262.4 lbs, Okolie held a clear physical advantage over Lerena, who came in at 232.5 lbs. That size difference showed throughout the bout, as Okolie was able to control the pace and distance. His jab landed consistently, and his movement kept Lerena from closing the gap or mounting any serious pressure.

Lerena tried to press forward and force exchanges, but Okolie tied him up effectively on the inside and kept resetting the fight at range. It was a smart, tactical showing from Okolie, who looked composed and confident in his second fight as a heavyweight. His timing, footwork, and defense were all on point, and while he didn’t score a knockout, he dominated most of the rounds without taking much damage.

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The judges scored the fight clearly in Okolie’s favor, awarding him a unanimous decision victory and the WBC Silver Heavyweight Title. The win moves him closer to world title contention in boxing’s most high-profile division.

Already a former WBO cruiserweight world champion, Okolie’s second straight win at heavyweight signals that he’s settling in well at the higher weight class. With his size, power, and discipline, he could soon be in line for even bigger fights.

Okolie’s performance on such a major card has once again put his name into the mix as one to watch among the rising heavyweight contenders.

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