Lawrence Okolie vs Michal Cieslak LIVE REACTION: Okolie RETAINS world title with points win – updates from O2

Report

Lawrence Okolie held on to his WBO cruiserweight world title after winning  a hugging match with Polish limpet Michal Chieslak.

With A-lister pals Anthony Joshua and UFC icon Israel Adasenya walking him to the ring, fans hoped for a Hollywood showing from the 29-year-old Hackney ace.

But – after Cieslak was pinged by the first serious punch of the O2 bout, slashing a wound into his left cheek – he spent the next 11 rounds grabbing and wrestling to a unanimous decision loss.

After Chieslak was dropped in the fifth, he judges called it: 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112.

Okolie speaks

Here is Okolie’s reaction after retaining his WBO cruiserweight title.

Okolie vs Cieslak

Mairis Briedis – still dressed as Mario Kart for unknown reasons – is ringside and braced to enter the ring.

Biggest fight in the cruiserweight division but I wonder what Briedis thinks after watching that?

Probably gutted it wasn’t Jake Paul in there.

Okolie vs Cieslak

Judges score the bout: 117-110, 116-111, 115-112… winner by unanimous decision, Lawrence Okolie.

Have to say, a lot tighter than I had it. But glad it’s done and dusted.

Okolie’s pursuit of unifications still alive.

Okolie vs Cieslak

Not one to remember for Okolie, despite winning arguably every round and scoring a knockdown.

Both were guilty of holding which led to a scrappy and largely unpleasant fight.

But Okolie well on the way to retaining his title, only another horror show like yesterday will guarantee otherwise.

Okolie vs Cieslak

Round 12 – Cieslak walks into a right hand and is left shaken but steady on his feet.

Okolie comes forward with a right hand but Cieslak looks to hold, no point switching up the game plan now.

The champ is bundled to the floor, no knockdown scored but the Polish crowd are getting very animated.

Fight sparks into life towards the end, with both throwing with intention but it goes the distance… scorecards next.

Okolie vs Cieslak

Round 11 – Another warning from the ref as the pace of the fight has slowed again, causing more holding.

They trade scrappy shots on the inside, sparking a mass reaction from the surprisingly Polish-packed crowd.

We head into the 12th and final round with Okolie well in front but failing to inspire.

Okolie vs Cieslak

Round 10 – Big right hand lands for Okolie, pushing Cieslak into the ropes.

Another right hook lands and has Cieslak in trouble, Adesanya is animated ringside waving his Nigerian flag.

Dominant round for Okolie, who found his range much better.

Okolie vs Cieslak

Round 9 – Okolie boxing smoother this round, pot-shotting with a few right hands, making Cieslak miss in return.

The champion works on the back foot, changing his style for the first time in the fight.

Okolie leaps in with a left hook but looks to have been met with a sharp counter but nothing to bother the Brit.

Okolie vs Cieslak

Round 8 – Slashing left for Cieslak sends Okolie backwards but not clear if it landed or not.

Okolie soon backs Cieslak to the ropes but nothing comes of it.

The two come together and again they are told off by the ref. Signs of frustration in both fighters here.

Okolie vs Cieslak

Round 7 – Both try with big rear counters but nothing landing. Cieslak marches forward but ships an Okolie right hand over the top.

Sweeping left hook lands for Okolie but again it ends up in a clinch.

Again it’s all arms in close and after seven round it’s safe to say their styles haven’t gelled.

Okolie vs Cieslak

Round 6 – Early right hands lands for Okolie and Cieslak is on his bike.

Fight turns scrappy again and the pair are given a telling off for the holding.

Really bright start for Okolie that round but he failed to keep Cieslak under pressure towards the end.

Okolie vs Cieslak

Round 5 – Big one-two lands for Okolie but Cieslak holds and they end up hugging in the corner.

Massive one-two and Cieslak is floored! Massive shot by Okolie.

Okolie lands two more big right hands, the first shakes Cieslak’s legs but the Pole survives the round, conceding it 10-8.

Okolie vs Cieslak

Round 4 – Okolie looking to land to the body with Cieslak covering up. But the Pole starts to push the champ back.

Clear Okolie is looking to land over the top but Cieslak is smart and covering up, will take a good combination or counter to open him up.

Another round in the bank for Okolie but shows signs of frustration towards the end, continuing to come forward even after the bell sounded.

Okolie vs Cieslak

Round 3 – Cieslak comes forward with a big shot but Okolie takes it well and they clinch, again.

Fight starting to break out now with the pair both throwing with intentions, only to then hold.

Right hook to the body lands for Okolie, then followed up soon after to the head. Good end to the round for the Londoner.

Okolie vs Cieslak

Round 2 – Scrappy affair with Okolie missing with right hands and then falling in.

The champion starts to throw to the body, setting traps but Cieslak doesn’t bite.

Right hook lands for Okolie right at the end of the round, with Cieslak slightly wobbled.

Okolie vs Cieslak

Round 1 – Bell rings and the pair both rush into each other and they clinch. Let’s not hope that’s a sign of things to come.

MASSIVE RIGHT HAND LANDS FOR OKOLIE!

Somehow Cieslak still standing! Big clubbing right hook landed for Okolie and Cieslak looked out on his feet but survives the round.

All-star cast

Lawrence Okolie walks into the ring accompanied by heavyweight superstar Anthony Joshua and UFC champ Israel Adesanya.

Adesanya held up a Nigerian flag while AJ had Okolie’s WBO belt in the air.

Main-event now upon us.

Having a Mar

IBF cruiserweight champion Mairis Briedis is here working as a pundit for DAZN… dressed as Super Mario.

Bredis is a great champion in his own right but is beginning to take a weird turn.

New-school fans may know him as the guy stalking Jake Paul, getting tattoos and rapping about the YouTuber…

Gal scored

Here is Galal Yafai’s reaction to his dominant debut win, which ended in round five.

Up next

Main event time as Lawrence Okolie defends his WBO cruiserweight title against Michal Cieslak.

The Pole has only lost once in 23 fights, against WBC champion Ilunga Makabu.

Okolie is dreaming of unification bouts, but first has to get Cieslak out of the way.

Yafai wins pro debut in fifth round.

Yafai said: “I enjoyed it in there, he was a tough opponent, I caught him with big shots and he wouldn’t go.

“I have waited so long to make my pro debut and it was everything I hoped and dreamed of.

“I want to move at a fast pace, I want to be stepped up and become a world champion.”

Yafai wins pro debut

Here is the finishing sequence for Yafai, as a left hand dropped Bautista and signalled the end.

The ref actually missed the towel come in and it was Yafai who had to tell him Bautista’s corner wanted it stopped.

Big statement for the Tokyo Olympic gold winner.

Yafai vs Bautista

Round 5 – The pair trade leather in mid-range but it’s Yafai landing the more telling and cleaner shots.

Yafai landing to head and body, leaving Bautista looking worse for wear, his right eye seriously swelling.

Straight left hand lands to drop Bautista… and his team throw in the towel! Debut win for Yafai, inside the half way mark.

Yafai vs Bautista

Round 4 – Tempo has slightly slowed bu Yafai’s pressure is constant, edging forward with his feet and lead hand.

He smashes in a couple of body shots and Bautista is starting to look out of ideas.

Yafai lets his hands go and leaves Bautista on the retreat – the ref is having a close look here… but the Mexican survives and it’s into round five.