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
The main event is up next! Lawrence Okolie defends his WBO cruiserweight title in his hometown of London against Poland’s Michal Cieslak.
Okolie vs Cieslak
Anthony Joshua is here! He commends Yafai, Gill and Hatton on their wins.
Okolie vs Cieslak
Yafai: “I knew I’m fit enough, I knew he’s a tough guy who can take some tough shots.
“It was brilliant [to fight in front of fans]. I tried not to pay too much attention, it was tunnel vision.
“Hopefully I can live up to [expectations], obviously I’ve got to move at the right pace. I know I can’t be taking them types of shots against world champions.”
Hearn: “A brilliant performance against a really tough fighter.”
Okolie vs Cieslak
Galal Yafai def. Carlos Vado Bautista via fifth-round TKO (2:11).
Yafai is your new International flyweight champion!
Plenty of quality on show from the debutant, who proved right Eddie Hearn’s decision to move fast with the Olympic champion.
Okolie vs Cieslak
Yafai vs Bautista – Round 5
Right hook lands for Yafai. Now a left straight.
Rob McCracken is still warning the Olympian not to lose focus.
Yafai digs a short uppercut into his oponent’s ribs. The Briton presses forward, and Bautista is clearly struggling.
Down he goes! Onto a knee! It’s a left straight that does it.
Bautista’s team wave the white towel! Yafai with the win in Round 5!
Okolie vs Cieslak
Yafai vs Bautista – Round 4
Yafai can afford to slow down somewhat here. Bautista aims to be aggressive early in the round, but he fails to get past the Olympic champion’s guard.
Yafai’s team warn him to keep his hands high and relax a little bit. The Briton is forcing things slightly at the moment.
That said, he’s hurting Bautista to the body and head, and it’s tough to see this going all 10 rounds.
Almost every shot gets through for Yafai as his opponent fights – increasingly meekly – with his back against the ropes.
Okolie vs Cieslak
Yafai vs Bautista – Round 3
A powerful right hand from Bautista wobbles Yafai slightly. It appeared to be the force of the shot, rather than Yafai being too dazed.
Yafai backs up his opponent against the ropes. He flicks out jabs as a distraction then buries a mean right hook into Bautista’s ribs.
The pair are back in space and Yafai lands more body hooks. A searing left straight pierces Bautista’s guard.
Nice variety on Yafai’s shots, and he’s moving around the ring very quickly and smoothly. A few short, quick punches in close lead to a snapping uppercut by Yafai. He lands another straight left. He’s completely taking over.
Okolie vs Cieslak
Yafai vs Bautista – Round 2
Bautista is game but gets caught with a short right hook that stuns him!
Gafai now lands a series of short, straight punches in close – managing range really well.
Bautista tries for an overhand right but just misses, and Yafai returns fire with a straight left.
Right uppercut to the body, left straight to the head from Yafai!
He’s caught with a left hook, but only after landing a severe one of his own!
Okolie vs Cieslak
Yafai vs Bautista – Round 1
Yafai is already timing his shots very nicely as he backs up Bautista.
The southpaw’s lead hook is landing, as are left straights. The Briton grins at Bautista.
The Mexican is fighting back, but his punches are quite reckless.
Yafai’s team urge him to take his time, and he obliges.
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