Okolie vs Cieslak LIVE: Fight stream, latest updates and result tonight
Okolie secured a unanimous-decision victory over his Polish opponent in front of a hometown crowd in London, though Cieslak had the majority of the support
Lawrence Okolie retained his WBO cruiserweight title against Michal Cieslak on Saturday night, outpointing the Pole in a scrappy affair.
Okolie was the hometown fighter in London’s O2 Arena, but it was his challenger who had the greater support throughout the main-event contest, which marked the Briton’s second defence of the belt. Okolie (18-0, 14 knockouts) remained unbeaten with the victory, which was hard fought and failed to see the 29-year-old operate at his highest level. The former Team GB Olympian struggled to time his right hand throughout the fight, while Cieslak (21-2, 15 KOs) frequently held the champion and looked to make it a messy contest. Ultimately, however, Okolie established a lead and made it to the final bell without that advantage having come under any real threat.
As such, it was little surprise when the judges’ scorecards were all revealed to favour Okolie – 117-110, 116-111, 115-112 – though the third flattered Cieslak.
On the undercard, Galal Yafai enjoyed a successful professional debut after winning gold for Britain at last summer’s Olympics in Tokyo. Also in action was Cambpell Hatton, son of British boxing icon Ricky Hatton. who secured a stoppage win to match Yafai’s. Re-live all the action from Okolie vs Cieslak and the evening’s undercard fights, below.
Okolie vs Cieslak
Round 8
A short uppercut lands for Cieslak in the clinch. All the Pole is trying to do is make this scrappy.
He steps along the ropes before exploding forward with jab efforts.
An overhand right lands for Okolie!
More clinching and another warning from the referee.
Okolie tries for another right hand, but he can only meet Cieslak’s glove.
Okolie vs Cieslak
Round 7
Into the second half of the fight. Cieslak holds Okolie at once...
Okolie jabs to the body after getting free. A wild uppercut lands for Cieslak! That looked like his first proper land all night!
Soon the opponents are clinching again, though, both throwing body hooks.
Okolie jabs high then low, just about landing on each occasion.
Okolie vs Cieslak
Round 6
Okolie is maintaining that newfound accuracy with his right hand, biding his time behind his jab at range before sliding in.
Cieslak is only really landing punches in the clinch.
Speaking of which, the Pole holds Okolie yet again... More “Michal” chants from the Polish fans, but their fighter can’t be picking up many points fighting this way.
That said, we saw last night in Glasgow how strange the scorecards can get at times...
Okolie vs Cieslak
Round 5
The pair clinch and Okolie backs Cieslak into the corner. They separate and the Briton jabs to the chest, now to the stomach.
Cieslak chases Okolie with a couple of jabs, the Briton retreating.
FINALLY Okolie times a right straight! It hits Cieslak’s glove, but the Pole drops to a knee!
He’s back up but is on wobbly legs... He holds Okolie as the clock ticks down.
Another right hand lands for Okolie, and Cieslak’s legs buckle! The Pole survives the round...
Okolie vs Cieslak
Round 4
Okolie tries to get his jab working from range, firing shots off up top then to the body of Cieslak.
The Pole swings big with a right hook but misses, before predictably holding Okolie.
Cieslak connects with a sharp right hook in the clinch.
Another clinch shortly thereafter, and the opponents trade shots just before the bell – and a few after, too!
This is so scrappy.
Okolie vs Cieslak
Round 3
Okolie presses forward. Shane McGuigan told the champion ahead of this round that he’s better at range, so let’s see how he manages that.
Okolie is in fact hanging back slightly, waiting for an opening.
It’s another scrappy round, with the pair holding after almost every entry.
Okolie vs Cieslak
Round 2
A jab gets through the guard for Okolie. More “Michal” chants.
Cieslak is sporting some swelling around his left eye.
Okolie throws a heavy right hook into the Pole’s guard.
More clinching and again the fighters are warned by the referee.
Cieslak switches to a southpaw stance and misses with a wide hook.
Okolie vs Cieslak
Round 1
Here we go! The pair clinch at once, with Okolie targeting the body as Cieslak goes for the head.
They separate and Cieslak circles around the ring as Okolie stalks him. The Briton lands a MASSIVE overhand right!
Cieslak half-falls to the canvas, his back against the ropes! The “Michal” chants won’t save him...
He’s back up, though, and Okolie is getting a little reckless with his entries.
The opponents clinch again, and the referee warns them for some excessive holding.
Okolie has struggled to time his right hand, aside from that one big shot.
Okolie vs Cieslak
Okolie dances his way to the ring. Joshua is in there, too, holding his friend’s title aloft!
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