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 spars Dillian Whyte

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.

Lawrence Okolie vs Michal Cieslak

• Okolie retains WBO cruiserweight title for second time
• Londoner (18-0, 14 KOs) extends unbeaten run with decision win
• Poland’s Cieslak enjoys majority of support at O2 Arena

[27 February 2022 17:21 · Alex Pattle]

Okolie vs Cieslak

Lawrence Okolie will defend his WBO cruiserweight world title for the second time when he takes on Michal Cieslak at London’s O2 Arena this evening.

Undefeated Okolie (17-0, 14 knockouts) will have hometown support as he faces a game opponent in Poland’s Cieslak (21-1, 15 KOs), who bounced back from the sole defeat of his professional career with back-to-back stoppage wins in his two most recent fights. Okolie will nevertheless be confident here, having achieved knockouts in his last seven outings, with the 29-year-old’s most recent bout seeing the former Team GB Olympian finish Dilan Prasovic in September. Okolie is out to prove his promoter Eddie Hearn right, after the Matchroom boss said he regards his fighter as the best cruiserweight in the world right now.

The undercard carries intrigue, too, with Galal Yafai making his professional debut after winning gold for Britain at last summer’s Olympics in Tokyo. Also in action will be Cambpell Hatton, son of British boxing icon Ricky Hatton. Yafai and Campbell Hatton will have plenty of backing in the O2, whose roof was repaired this week following damage caused by Storm Eunice last weekend.