Lawrence Okolie praises trainer Shane McGuigan ahead of debut world title fight
Okolie is aiming to become the first male member of Great Britain’s 2016 Olympics squad to claim a professional world title.
Lawrence Okolie says the influence of trainer Shane McGuigan has kept him grounded as he prepares to bid for a place in the big-time on Saturday night.
Okolie will become the first male member of Great Britain’s 2016 Olympics squad to claim a professional world title if he beats Poland’s Krzysztof Glowacki for the WBO cruiserweight crown.
The unbeaten 28-year-old has bashed through all but three of his 15 previous victims inside the distance and is bursting with self-confidence as he prepares to take on the former two-time champion.
“I’m a very confident character but Shane is very much the type of trainer who will say, ‘you haven’t won a world title, and I’m trainer of the year’, and that has set a standard for me.”
Glowacki, whose only losses in his 33 professional fights came against world-class pair Oleksandr Usyk and Mairis Briedis, represents a significant step up in class for Okolie.
“Really and truly I don’t enjoy the time in the ring because you’re constantly in danger and there’s a chance of hurting your hands,” added Okolie
“So I’m interested in getting my fights over quickly and efficiently. There’s more accolades in knockouts than 12-round scrappy fights, so I’d rather get the accolades.”
