By Ian S Palmer
There’s some cruiserweight action this weekend as Krzysztof Glowacki of Poland travels to London, England to take on unbeaten Lawrence Okolie for the vacant WBO Title. Glowacki hasn’t fought since June, 2019 when he was controversially stopped in third round by Mairis Briedis in the semifinal of the World Boxing Super Series. That fight was also for the vacant WBC Cruiserweight Crown and Glowacki’s WBO World Title. This weekend’s tilt can be seen live on DAZN in most nations while those in the UK can catch it on Sky Sports Arena. Okolie’s last bout came in December when he stopped Nikodem Jezewski in the second round for the vacant WBO international Cruiserweight Title.
The 34-year-old Glowacki is a southpaw who carries a record of 31-2 with 19 Kos. He first won the WBO crown by getting up from the canvas to stop former champion Marco Huck in the 11th round in August of 2015 in a highly-entertaining slugfest. He defended the belt in April 2016 when he beat former two-time cruiserweight champ Steve Cunningham by unanimous decision.
However, he lost the strap in his second defence when Oleksandr Usyk beat him by unanimous decision. He then regained the interim belt in November, 2018 with a unanimous decision over Maxim Vlasov before losing it to Briedis after he was stopped after Briedis had a point deducted for elbowing him in the head.
After a fine amateur career Glowacki turned pro in 2008 and has boxed 193 rounds since and has gained experience by fighting the likes of Briedis, Huck, Cunningham and Usyk. He’s also beaten the likes of Nuri Seferi, Matty Askin and Thierry Karl as well. Glowacki stands 6-feet tall with a 75-inch and has decent power with a current knockout ratio of 57.6 per cent. He’s mostly been fighting exclusively in Europe against European opposition but his power and solid chin make him a fan-friendly boxer to watch.
Okolie is just 28 years old and big and lanky at 6-feet-5-inches with a perfect record of 15-0 with 12 Kos. Unfortunately he has an unlisted reach though. He’s boxed 63 rounds since making his pro debut in 2017 and so far has displayed better-than-average power with a current knockout ratio of 80 per cent. He won the vacant WBA Continental Cruiserweight Title in 2018 via a 10-round unanimous decision over Isaac Chamberlain.
Okolie then added the Commonwealth Crown a few months later by stopping Luke Watkins in the third round. He’s also beaten Matty Askin and Wadi Camacho to add the British Title and hoisted the European Cruiserweight Belt in October, 2019 with a seventh-round TKO of Yves Ngabu. He’s stepping up in class this weekend as he hasn’t taken on a true contender as of yet.
Before turning pro, Okolie enjoyed a fine amateur career and won the 2016 AIBA European Olympic Qualification Event. He boxed in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where he beat Igor Jakubowski of Poland and lost to Erislandy Savon of Cuba. Okolie also boxed in the World Series of Boxing in 2016 for the British and was beaten by Erislandy Savon again.
Prediction…
Glowacki is naturally aggressive but he’s giving up five inches in height and has been out of action for close to two years. He’s also 34 years old. Still, I think if he’s in shape and focused he can give Okolie plenty of trouble as long as he can work his way inside and his chin holds out. Glowacki could make the mistake of relying too much on his power though instead of constantly throwing punches to keep Okolie on the back foot. Okolie is expected to win this battle but I wouldn’t underestimate Glowacki’s experience, power and heart. I’m going to go with the underdog Glowacki here in a bit of an upset.
