Lawrence Okolie, fresh off claiming the WBC bridgerweight title with a first-round knockout of Lucasz Rozanski, is targeting heavyweight glory under trainer Joe Gallagher. The Hackney fighter currently holds the WBC's No 1 ranking at heavyweight and plans to face Agit Kabayel for the Interim strap before challenging Oleksandr Usyk for the full championship.

Gallagher insists his fighter is ready to take on the "boogeyman" of the division, stating "I don't see no reason why it can't happen and it should happen." Promoter Frank Warren, who manages both Okolie and Kabayel, approves of the potential matchup, calling Okolie "a quality fighter" who has "settled down in the heavyweight division" after his victory over Kevin Lerena.

Should Okolie defeat Kabayel, he would become the mandatory challenger for the WBC world title. Usyk has been granted permission for a voluntary defense but must then face his mandatory challenger. Gallagher believes it's a matter of time before Okolie becomes a heavyweight champion, saying "if he's given the opportunity and given good notice and a proper camp, I think he will."