Daniel Dubois Shares Insights on Upcoming Heavyweight Clash: Lerena vs. Okolie

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Daniel Dubois, the British heavyweight contender, has shared his perspective on the upcoming fight between Kevin Lerena and Lawrence Okolie. Dubois, who has faced Lerena in the past, believes the match-up promises to be an exciting encounter in the heavyweight division.

Dubois and Lerena crossed paths in 2022 on the undercard of Tyson Fury vs. Derek Chisora 3. The fight was a rollercoaster, with Lerena dropping Dubois three times in the first round. However, Dubois managed to recover and ultimately stopped Lerena in the third round. This bout marked Dubois' final fight with his former trainer Shane McGuigan and was marred by a knee injury that hampered his performance from the outset.

Now, Lerena is set to face Lawrence Okolie, a former cruiserweight champion who recently made his heavyweight debut with a first-round knockout victory. Okolie was originally scheduled to face Richard Riakporhe, but the fight fell through due to an injury sustained by Okolie.

When asked about the Lerena-Okolie showdown, Dubois commented, "That’s a good fight, a good match-up. I’d favor Okolie." His prediction aligns with Okolie's recent form, as the British boxer has shown promise in his transition to the heavyweight division.

Before his move to heavyweight, Okolie had a tumultuous final fight in the cruiserweight division against Chris Billam-Smith. The bout was criticized for its messy and awkward nature, with Okolie being deducted points for excessive holding and suffering three knockdowns over 12 rounds. Despite the setbacks, Okolie lost by a narrow majority decision.

Dubois, meanwhile, is preparing for a high-stakes rematch with Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed world titles. Their first encounter in 2023 ended in a ninth-round stoppage, with Dubois outclassed by the Ukrainian pound-for-pound star. Many believe Dubois faces an uphill battle in the rematch, especially given his previous struggles against top-tier opponents.

As the boxing world eagerly anticipates these heavyweight clashes, Dubois' insights add an intriguing layer to the narrative surrounding Lerena and Okolie’s upcoming showdown.