By Adam Baskin: Lawrence Okolie has break up with coach Shane McGuigan and can now be skilled by SugarHill Steward.
In line with McGuigan, he couldn’t go away his secure of fighters within the UK to coach the unbeaten WBO cruiserweight champion Okolie (18-0, 14 KOs) in Dubai, the place he now lives.
It’s unclear whether or not SugarHill Steward will practice Okolie in Dubai or if Lawrence will journey to the U.S. for his subsequent coaching camp. SugarHill has fighters as properly in his secure, most notably WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
Fury has a combat developing in late April towards Oleksandr Usyk, which may imply that the 30-year-old Okolie might want to practice within the UK for his title protection subsequent month towards David Mild (20-0, 12 KOs) on March eleventh.
Can SugarHill assist Okolie?
It’s questionable whether or not SugarHill is an improve from McGuigan as a result of he hasn’t made loads of precise enhancements with Fury apart from educating him the best way to maul and lean on his opponents.
You’ll be able to argue that Fury was a more practical heavyweight earlier than SugarHill took over as his new coach. Tyson definitely took much less punishment than he does now, and his fights had been much more entertaining.
If all SugarHill can add to Okolie’s sport is to show him the best way to maul like Fury, it may finally make him weak as a result of he doesn’t have an enormous weight benefit over his opponents that he can use to lean on them the way in which Tyson does.
To be an efficient mauler, like Fury, you’ve bought to outweigh your opponents after which be ready to surrender massive parts of your sport, resembling throwing mixtures, and motion.
Lawrence Okolie has appointed SugarHill Steward as his new coach after splitting with Shane McGuigan. pic.twitter.com/CH6JEaC9hX
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) February 3, 2023
“No, not for his subsequent combat. Lawrence has given up his UK residency, I’m fairly positive, to go dwell in Dubai. It provides him solely a certain quantity of days within the nation,” mentioned coach Shane McGuigan to Professional Boxing Frans.
“It’s disappointing; it’s unlucky that I can’t simply carry my complete secure of fighters and take them to a coaching camp overseas. I heard he’s working with SugarHill, working with him, and coaching on trial with just a few different folks. I want him properly.
“There aren’t any onerous emotions. Simply as he mentioned, there aren’t any onerous emotions. He’s a really gifted lad, so hopefully, he can fulfill that potential,” mentioned McGuigan.
“Dangerous recommendation,” mentioned Eddie Hearn when requested by Boxing Social about his ideas on Okolie leaving McGuigan.