British coach of the yr nominee, Shane McGuigan, has confirmed his cut up from WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie, after the boxer’s transfer to Dubai.Okolie received the WBO title in 2021, knocking out Krzysztof Glowacki within the sixth spherical of their contest, nonetheless since then ‘The Sauce’ has fought simply twice.In an interview with Boxing Social, McGuigan revealed that the previous Olympian is now coaching with SugarHill Steward, coach of WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury, as Okolie seeks to enhance his exercise in 2023.“He has given up his UK residency, he’s residing out in Dubai and stuff. That was at all times going to be fairly an enormous impediment for us to beat, there’s completely no laborious emotions with me and Lawrence, I want him all the perfect.I feel he’s out performing some work in Florida with SugarHill [Steward], it’s not like he’s going to be coaching himself, he’s going to try to get himself with a superb coach and perhaps we might work collectively once more sooner or later.”Okolie subsequently made it public that SugarHill was his new coach.🤝 Lawrence Okolie has introduced SugarHill Steward as his new coach [📸 @Lawrence_tko]Go Free, Solely With Boxing Social at Village Health club https://t.co/cFjfqMiAxTpic.twitter.com/8xqwEaXwS3— Boxing Social (@boxing_social) February 3, 2023The Londoner has teased a transfer to the heavyweight division and while there are many fights to be made in opposition to fellow British cruiserweights, Okolie has proven his frustration at inactivity.Up subsequent for Okolie is a 3rd defence of his WBO world title, over a yr on from his final battle. He takes on his obligatory challenger within the type of undefeated New-Zealander David Gentle, however will achieve this with out McGuigan, who has been in his nook since 2019.McGuigan added:“For now, I’ve bought a five-month-old child, I’ve bought seven fighters within the health club who’re about to battle for a world title. I can’t simply elevate folks and say “proper, we’re going out to coach overseas for six weeks”, it will be a large expense for everybody else. We tried our greatest to come back to an answer, but it surely was his choice to maneuver out to Dubai and I want him all the perfect.”Okolie has additionally cut up from his promoter, Matchroom Boxing, and can as an alternative battle David Gentle on Sky Sports activities with Boxxer, on a one-fight-deal. The conflict is scheduled for March eleventh, with an undercard and placement but to be introduced.




Source link