LAWRENCE OKOLIE has retained his WBO cruiserweight title against David Light after winning on points.
The Sauce failed to knock out the challenger but was in control throughout the whole fight.
David Light stood up well after being on the end of a few big right hands from the champion.
The fight wasn’t exactly one to remember, but nevertheless, Okolie did the job and retained his world title.
It was the champion’s first fight in over a year, so you can expect him not to be fighting at his peak.
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Okolie on next fight
“I will go in the ring and fight anyone,” Okolie said.
“If they’re watching this and they think ‘Lawrence is rubbish, I can do this, I can do that’, come and find out.
“I’ll put it on the line against anyone and if they’re good enough to beat me, they are, and if not I carry on winning.”
OKOLIE REACTION
Okolie rated his performance as: “Probably like a 5/6.
“I couldn’t get the last shot to drop him.”
On his next opponent, he said: “I’ll put it on the line against anyone.”
OKOLIE WINS
The sauce retains his world title after winning on points!
David Light stood up well and took some big punches from the champion.
But he failed to come up with any combinations of his own on the night.
OKOLIE VS LIGHT R12
David Light has come through some big hits from Okolie and remained standing after twelve rounds.
The champion will not have a KO in the AO Arena in Manchester.
That said, he will retain his WBO cruiserweight title.
OKOLIE VS LIGHT R11
Light has to go for the KO now as we enter the penultimate round.
Both fighters breathing heavily as we near the final round.
Okolie has been deducted a point from the referee during round 10.
The champion hits Light with a HUGE right hand at the end of the round, but credit to the challenger, he stays on his feet.
OKOLIE VS LIGHT R10
The champion is starting to get some joy as he lands multiple punches to the head of David Light.
Light wobbles but managed to keep his hands up.
Okolie not holding out for points here. He wants the KO.
Round 10 was the most action-packed so far in the main event.
OKOLIE VS LIGHT R9
David Light has lost every round so far.
The challenger needs a knockout to become champion.
Light is starting to be more aggressive yet he is still wild with his punches.
OKOLIE VS LIGHT R8
The fight has become very scrappy the in the last few rounds.
Both fighters starting to feel the effects after 8 rounds.
Okolie starting to look predictable, but may just look to see it out as he is firmly in front on the scorecards.
OKOLIE VS LIGHT R7
Okolie trying to find a way to throw a right hand at David Light.
Referee Bob Williams has had a word with both fighters after some scrappy clinches.
The champion is still in control of the fight.
7-0
OKOLIE VS LIGHT R6
The midway point of the fight now.
Nothing major to comment on as of yet…
Okolie, however, is in the driving seat and is in pole position to retain his title.
A few quick jabs to the head of the champion from Light as he looks to make his mark on the fight.
OKOLIE VS LIGHT R5
Neither fighter showing any signs of weakness as we enter round 5.
Okolie is still in firm control of the fight as we near the halfway point.
The champion is starting to throw some nice right-hands at Light now.
5-0 Okolie. Light will need a KO or some knockdowns to become champion here.
OKOLIE VS LIGHT R4
Sky commentators calling for Okolie to be more authoritative with his jab.
Still a quiet start after four rounds here at the AO Arena.
David Light continues to close the distance between him and the champion.
That said, Okolie is still in control and is 4-0 up.
OKOLIE VS LIGHT R3
Okolie’s trainer SugarHill Steward wants him to focus on the body.
Light starting to be more aggressive at closing the distance.
The champion still bossing things in the ring.
OKOLIE VS LIGHT R2
Light struggling to get inside the champion.
Okolie keeps his distance and uses his jab at range.
A patient start from both fighters.
2-0 to the champion.
OKOLIE VS LIGHT R1
And there goes the bell, and we are underway!
Okolie starts brightly in this WBO cruiserweight title bout.
A few early jabs to the body of Light from the champion.
The challenger just looking to close the distance.
Lawrence Okolie walks out!
The Champion walks out to a noisy AO Arena.
He returns to Manchester, the place where it all started for him.
Okolie looks relaxed and ready to defend his title!
David Light walks out!
The challenger is currently completing his ring walk at the AO Arena in Manchester.
Light looks relaxed as he eyes the WBO cruiserweight title.
But will he be able to get past current champion Lawrence Okolie?
Main card results so far tonight
- Frazer Clarke def Bogdan Dinu
- Michael Gomez Jnr (c) def Levi Giles
- Karriss Artingstall def Linzi Buczynskyj
- Callum Simpson def Celso Neves
CAIN UNABLE
Over in Telford, rising Liverpool fighter Andrew Cain has suffered a shock upset loss.
Ionut Baluta dropped the prospect, broke his nose and won a split decision.
The Romanian winner was decked twice in the very first round but rallied brilliantly to win with cards of 91-96, 95-92 & 94-93.
MCRIBBED
Clarke says: “I want to thank Bogdan for saving the show, I am sorry about his ribs but I hope he enjoys Manchester with his wife and son.
“I hope to be back out in Birmingham in May.
BIG FRAZE
The Team GB ace looks disappointed after a very easy night’s work.
Dinu did look keen in the first couple of rounds but he snatched the easy way out.
There’s no obvious injury but he put his sparkly waistcoat on a little gingerly.
CLARKE WINS
Dinu refuses to get off his stool for the third round and retires.
Can’t see what Dinu has injured but it’s a disappointing end.
Clarke gets his cut looked at while Dinu walks about, looking for his pay cheque probably.
CLARKE VS DINU R2
Clarke scythes at Dinu’s ribs then drives an uppercut into his guard.
Clarke cracks a right hand into Dinu’s ear and then goes downstairs to his body.
A stiff right hand hurts Dinu right on the bell too.
CLARKE VS DINU R1
Clarke starts brightly with a couple of lead left hooks.
Dinu complains abut early rabbit punches.
Clarke suffers a little cut on his forehead after a clash of heads.
1-0 to the Englishman.
BOGGED DOWN TO DANCE
Bogdan Dinu was a last-minute replacement opponent for Frazer Clarke.
American veteran Rydell Booker never made it over after falling ill.
Dinu is not expected to offer much and the Team GB Olympian will be looking for an impressive KO.
Strong beard game from Dinu and old-school chest hair.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
