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
That was one of the most remarkable things I’ve ever seen in this sport.
Okolie vs Cieslak
Jordan Gill def. Karim Guerfi via ninth-round knockout (2:59).
Okolie vs Cieslak
Guerfi vs Gill – Round 9
Surprisingly Gill’s team tell him to stay in the corner in this round! They say their fighter’s only mistake in Round 8 was leaving the corner...
Sure enough, the Briton stays in the corner, where he eats a left hook from Guerfi. The champion looks happy to take on Gill in this space.
Gill’s hands are high, but he can’t block all these punches. His face is sporting more and more damage.
The referee checks Gill’s right eye, which is cut, but deems the Briton okay to continue.
WOW! WITH ONE RIGHT HAND, GILL KNOCKS GUERFI OUT COLD JUST BEFORE THE BELL! WHAT HAVE WE JUST SEEN?!
Okolie vs Cieslak
Guerfi vs Gill – Round 8
Guerfi picks up where he left off, applying pressure and backing Gill into the corner.
Gill isn’t making any effort to find space, though he does flick out some jabs. Now a big right hand! The crowd reacts to that!
Finally the Briton is back in open space, but Guerfi soon forces him back into the corner...
Guerfi is going for the finish as the round nears its conclusion... Gill fires back! A lot of heart from the Cambridge fighter, but this contest looks to be slipping away from him...
Okolie vs Cieslak
Guerfi vs Gill – Round 7
After a fine fifth round for Gill, Guerfi was the better fighter in the last frame.
The opponents trade punches to the head in close. Gill ducks then dodges some downwards punches from the champion, before throwing a right hook into Guerfi’s guard.
Guerfi catches Gill on the end of a left hook, and the Briton stumbles down and to the mat!
He’s soon back up, but Guerfi is going after him and lands a number of hooks. Gill grabs Guerfi and the pair fall to the mat, Gill’s head hitting the canvas hard... He looks dazed...
The opponents stand and trade big shots.
Okolie vs Cieslak
Guerfi vs Gill – Round 6
Gill takes the centre of the ring. He lands a heavy overhand right to the body of Guerfi – an unusual punch!
Guerfi is missing with big shots, but one lands for the champion – a powerful right as Gill shells up against the ropes!
Gill is being tested here in terms of his fight management...
Okolie vs Cieslak
Guerfi vs Gill – Round 5
Guerfi is a bit static here, focusing too much on trying to find the perfect counter shot.
He’s hurt by a hook, and Gill pours on the pressure!
Guerfi shells up against the ropes. Gill is careful not to put too much power into his shots and get tired.
Guerfi lands a short counter left and follows it with a sturdy combination upstairs! The Frenchman is coming alive now!
Gill looked close to securing a finish, but Guerfi responded really well late on.
Okolie vs Cieslak
Guerfi vs Gill – Round 4
Good work rate from Gill in that third round, and his accuracy improved as the frame progressed.
Guerfi takes the centre of the ring now. Gill with a versatile series of shots to keep the Frenchman at bay, though!
The pair clinch against the ropes and Guerfi falls down under the weight of his opponent.
Gill is building momentum now, firing off accurate punches with the champion’s back to the ropes!
Guerfi looks a little unnerved in his corner after the round...
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