Okolie v Glowacki predictions and boxing betting tips: Okolie to shine in London

Free boxing tips, best bets and analysis for the WBO world cruiserweight title fight between Laurence Okolie and Krzysztof Glowacki at Wembley Arena on Saturday night.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event, 10pm Saturday

Best bet

Laurence Okolie to win in rounds seven to 12
2pts 11-4 Betfair, Paddy Power

Fight preview

Lawrence Okolie steps through the ropes as a professional for just the 16th time in the main event at the SSE Arena on Saturday night, but the Hackney fighter is ready to be crowned world champion.

The 28-year-old takes on former world cruiserweight title holder Krzysztof Glowacki for the last remaining unclaimed belt in the division since undisputed king Oleksandr Usyk stepped up into the heavyweight division and vacated all four belts.

This fight was originally scheduled as chief support on the Joshua v Pulev undercard in December, but fell off when Glowacki contracted Covid-19 and now headlines the Matchroom card at Wembley Arena.

Okolie is six years younger than his Polish opponent but makes up for his relative inexperience with awkwardness, size and freakish power, all three of which can serve him well in this contest.

The 2016 Olympian has been criticised in the past for holding too much and manhandling opponents - making for unappealing viewing. But the delay to this step up can help him gel with, and improve under, new coach Shane McGuigan.

Okolie steamrolled through last-minute call-up Nikodem Jezewski in impressive fashion four months ago and now under McGuigan, who rates as one of the top coaches in the world, the Brit can take this jump up in class in his stride.

Glowacki is a dangerous opponent who will be more than happy to trade, but he will not be able to match the firepower of his 6ft 5ins opponent.

The former WBO title holder is vying to get his hands back on the belt he lost to Usyk back in 2016, but suffered a brutal and dramatic loss to Mairis Briedis when last sighted in the ring two years ago which may have left a mark.

Okolie may start cautiously knowing he is sharing the ring with easily his sternest test to date. He is expected to use his enormous range to assert early on and get ahead, but Glowacki is game and at some stage these two will trade leather - which can only end badly for the Pole.

The former McDonald's worker can serve up a treat on Saturday night and announce himself to the world in emphatic style with a stoppage in the second half of the fight.

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