Lawrence Okolie will defend his WBO cruiserweight world title against New Zealand’s David Light in March… as British boxer prepares for first fight since bitter split with Eddie Hearn
- Lawrence Okolie will face David Light in a bout for the WBO cruiserweight title
- Okolie has not had a fight since splitting with promoter Eddie Hearn last year
- New Zealand’s Light boasts an impressive record of 20-0 ahead of the fight
Lawrence Okolie will defend his WBO cruiserweight world title against New Zealand star David Light in March.
Okolie last fought in February when he won a unanimous decision against Michal Cieslak to retain his WBO belt for the second time, but he has not fought since.
It will also be the first time that the British boxer steps foot in the ring since parting ways with promoter Eddie Hearn in December last year.
The WBO requested Okolie, now 18-0, to make a mandatory defence of the belt against New Zealand’s Light – which will take place in the capital on March 11, 2023.
Matchroom Boxing – Hearn’s promotion – claimed that there was one bout remaining on Okolie’s contract but the Brit signed with Boxxxer shortly after leaving Hearn’s company and has orchestrated the fight with Light.
![British boxer Lawrence Okolie will defend his WBO cruiserweight title in a March bout](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/02/08/16/67470671-11727843-image-a-80_1675874222904.jpg)
British boxer Lawrence Okolie will defend his WBO cruiserweight title in a March bout
![Okolie will take on New Zealand fighter David Light in a cruiserweight bout on Sky Sports](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/02/08/16/67471019-11727843-image-a-82_1675874583946.jpg)
Okolie will take on New Zealand fighter David Light in a cruiserweight bout on Sky Sports
The WBO Championship Committee’ chairman, Luis Batista-Salas, informed all relevant parties of the agreement in a letter.
‘The WBO World Championship Committee acknowledged receipt of correspondence from Team Okolie’s legal representative Mr. Mohit Pasricha whereby Okolie confirmed in writing that his team had reached an agreement with Team David Light pertaining to the ordered subject matter mandatory bout,’ it said.
‘Also, the Committee confirmed receipt of correspondence on behalf of Team David Light confirming the agreement between the parties.
‘According to the fighters, through their representatives, the bout will be promoted by ‘Boxxer’ and will take place on Saturday, March 11, 2023, in London, United Kingdom.’
Okolie’s fight with Light – who has a 20-0 record – was destined for purse bids, but it emerged that Boxxer have come to an agreement to stage the fight on Sky Sports.
Okolie and Hearn – who has served as the 29-year-old’s promoter since his professional debut in 2017 – have been involved in an ongoing dispute, including over comments made on social media by the boxer.
On Twitter, in November, Okolie wrote: ‘Can’t lie this year was turning me of boxing. Dirty, lying, narcissistic individuals who ‘run’ the sport. How I feel right now… reminds me that that’s a selfish outlook, our fights mean so much more to so many more people than ourselves.’
It is believed that Okolie was speaking about Hearn – who came back and told iFL TV: ‘The last thing we ever wanna do is go to court with a fighter, but I will never let someone take the p*** out of the loyalty/job we’ve delivered for them.’
![Promoter Hearn, who runs Matchroom, and Okolie have been involved in an ongoing dispute](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/22/16/65857933-11566761-image-a-2_1671728151538.jpg)
Promoter Hearn, who runs Matchroom, and Okolie have been involved in an ongoing dispute
![Okolie signed with Ben Shalom's (pictured) Boxxer for his upcoming fight against Light](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/22/17/65858557-11566761-image-a-15_1671729545896.jpg)
Okolie signed with Ben Shalom’s (pictured) Boxxer for his upcoming fight against Light
It was also confirmed by the WBO that Okolie’s lawyer, Themba Smith, requested that Hearn’s company was excluded from correspondence.
‘The WBO confirmed email communication by Mr. Themba Smith, on behalf of Team Okolie confirming receipt of the negotiation notice and advising that Matchroom Boxing was no longer Okolie’s promoter.
‘Consequently, Mr. Smith requested that the WBO refrain from including Matchroom in any further correspondence pertaining to Okolie/Light.
‘Thereafter, the WBO received an email response from Mr. Shaun Palmer, on behalf of Matchroom Boxing asserting that Okolie and Matchroom are parties to a pending dispute resolution process and in order to preserve the legal status quo, Matchroom should remain informed on matters pertaining to Okolie.’
![Okolie pictured in action in his most recent bout against Polish fighter Michał Cieślak](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/02/08/16/67470759-11727843-image-a-81_1675874559544.jpg)
Okolie pictured in action in his most recent bout against Polish fighter Michał Cieślak
Elsewhere on the card, Jack Catterall and Jack Taylor will share the ring in their highly-anticipated rematch. Taylor emerged victorious in their first meeting.
The rematch between the two has been booked – and collapsed – on three separate occasions and had looked impossible to orchestrate.
Unbeaten heavyweight prospect Frazer Clarke will also face off with American Rydell Booker on the night.