Lawrence Okolie vs Kevin Lerena: Preview & Betting Tips
Image Credit: Queensberry Promotions
Two former cruiserweight champions collide in a heavyweight matchup as Lawrence Okolie takes on Kevin Lerena on Saturday night on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois 2.
Once a rising star at cruiserweight with a WBO belt to his name, Okolie (21-1, 16 KO’s) has since moved up and claimed a bridgerweight title before debuting at heavyweight with a swift first-round knockout.
Lerena (31-3, 15 KO’s) has proven remarkably durable and technically sound throughout his career. Lerena is a former IBO cruiserweight champion and recently captured a WBC bridgerweight title, outboxing Serhiy Radchenko. As a 6ft hard-hitting southpaw, Lerena is as tough as they come.
Tale of the Tape
Lawrence Okolie – Odds 1.44 (Sky Bet)
Record: 21-1, 16 KO’s
Age: 32
Height: 6ft5
Reach: 83”
Weight: Heavyweight
Stance: Orthodox
Kevin Lerena – Odds 2.80 (Sky Bet)
Record: 31-3, 15 KO’s
Age: 31
Height: 6ft
Reach: 74”
Weight: Heavyweight
Stance: Southpaw
Lawrence Okolie vs Kevin Lerena: Analysis
Okolie’s style isn’t often always pretty to watch, his style can be awkward and clinch-heavy, but when he does let his hands go, the power is real. His physicality is his weapon, and against smaller men, it can be overwhelming. He has an incredible reach and powerful right hand which not many people have been able to take once they absorb it clean on the chin or temple.
Lerena isn’t exactly pillow-fisted himself, having notably knocked down Daniel Dubois before succumbing to a stoppage after taking sustained punishment. That fight proved he can compete with legitimate power punchers up at heavyweight, but he’s never faced anyone with the awkwardness that Okolie possesses.
He does bring much more rhythm, timing, and momentum into this bout than the Brit, but it’s evident that this is a physical mismatch.
Okolie vs Lerena: Prediction & Betting Tips
I’ve played this fight out in my head several times now and this is the common way I think the fight ends: Okolie wins by stoppage in the second half of the fight.
Lerena will have early success with movement and combinations from the southpaw stance, but as the fight progresses, Okolie’s size and physicality will begin to tell. After wearing Lerena down and slowing his legs, Okolie finds the opening and forces a stoppage in the second half of the bout.
This won’t be one for those boxing fans who love technical boxing and skillful fighters. But then again, this is a heavyweight sanctioned bout, so we’re only here to see one thing only: knockouts. With everything in mind, my pick is Lawrence Okolie to win in rounds 7-12 at odds of 3.50 (Sky Bet).
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