Lawrence Okolie vs. Kevin Lerena Preview

British boxer Lawrence Okolie is set to continue his rise through the heavyweight ranks when he faces South African veteran Kevin Lerena in a 12-round bout on July 19 at London’s Wembley Stadium. The clash will take place on the undercard of the highly anticipated Oleksandr Usyk vs. Daniel Dubois rematch.

Okolie (21-1, 16 KOs), a former WBO cruiserweight champion and most recently the WBC bridgerweight titleholder, vacated his belt to pursue elite challenges in the heavyweight division. He made his debut in the weight class last December, dispatching Hussein Muhamed with ease via a first-round knockout.

Lerena (31-3, 15 KOs), a former interim champion at cruiserweight and bridgerweight, enters the fight just a month removed from a decision victory over Serhiy Radchenko. The South African remains a dangerous opponent, best remembered for flooring Daniel Dubois three times in their December 2022 bout before being controversially stopped in the third round. 

He also gave a spirited performance against Australia’s Justis Huni in Saudi Arabia but ultimately lost a unanimous decision.

Both men will be seeking a signature win to cement their place in a crowded and competitive heavyweight landscape, with Okolie looking to continue his explosive momentum and Lerena aiming to prove he can still trouble the division’s top contenders.

This fight pits raw power against grit and experience. Okolie enters with momentum and heavy hands, but Lerena is no stranger to big-fight moments, having dropped Dubois three times and gone the distance with Huni. 

Expect an awkward, tense early pace with Okolie using his length and jab to establish distance while Lerena attempts to close the gap and work on the inside. The South African will have moments, especially if he draws Okolie into a brawl—but ultimately, Okolie’s physical advantages and sharper power punching are projected to carry him to a decision win.

Okolie’s biggest weapons are his size, reach, and punching power. Standing at 6-foot-5 with an 82-inch reach, he uses his long jab and looping right hand to control range and inflict damage from the outside. His transition from cruiserweight to heavyweight has preserved his explosiveness, as seen in his first-round demolition of Muhamed. 

Defensively, he’s hard to hit clean when disciplined, and he knows how to tie up opponents effectively to stifle their rhythm. His awkward style frustrates many opponents, and his physicality makes it tough for smaller heavyweights to get comfortable inside.

Okolie’s style can become overly cautious and clinch-heavy when pressured, leading to dull, stop-start fights. He can be hesitant to let his hands go, especially against southpaws or crafty pressure fighters. 

His one career loss to Billam-Smith showed issues with timing, footwork, and adapting under fire—particularly when he can’t dominate the pace. In longer fights, his output can drop, and he’s been criticized for relying too much on holding rather than movement or angles.

Lerena is a rugged, battle-tested fighter with solid hand speed, a durable chin, and a strong work rate. He excels in close quarters, using timing and combinations to get inside on taller fighters. He’s shown heart and toughness, especially in his near-upset of Dubois, where he scored three knockdowns before being controversially stopped. 

Lerena is a capable counterpuncher with a sharp left hand and a sneaky body attack. He can drag opponents into uncomfortable, grinding fights with sustained pressure and smart angles.

Despite his toughness, Lerena lacks true heavyweight power—only 15 knockouts in 31 wins—and struggles to finish elite opponents when hurt. He’s undersized for the division at 6-foot-1 with a shorter reach, often requiring him to work twice as hard just to get inside. 

He can be predictable in his entries, which makes him susceptible to long jabs and uppercuts. His foot speed isn’t elite, and against rangy opponents like Okolie, he may get picked off trying to close distance.

Lerena will try to replicate the success he had against Dubois by getting inside and testing Okolie’s defense and composure. But unlike Dubois, Okolie is more measured and physically awkward, with the ability to frustrate and control opponents from a distance.

Unless Lerena can seriously hurt him early, this fight is expected to go the full 12 rounds, with Okolie racking up points behind his jab and occasional right-hand blasts. Look for a clear-cut unanimous decision win for Okolie as he continues to carve out his place among heavyweight contenders.

Pick: Lawrence Okolie 1.44 | Dafabet