Lukasz Rozanski v Lawrence Okolie: Fight date, ring walk time, undercard, how to watch & betting odds

Lawrence Okolie is set to make his long-awaited return to the ring on Friday night when he tackles Poland's WBC bridgerweight title holder Lukasz Rozanski in Rzeszow.

The 31-year-old moves up a weight as he seeks to get his career back on track, following a crushing defeat to Chris Billam-Smith in a pulsating cruiserweight world title showdown in May last year.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of this world title dust-up...

Lukasz Rozanski v Lawrence Okolie - All You Need To Know

Lukasz Rozanski v Lawrence Okolie - Date

Lukasz Rozanski v Lawrence Okolie will go toe-to-toe in Poland on Friday 24th May, with the event co-promoted by BOXXER and Knockout Promotions.

Lukasz Rozanski v Lawrence Okolie - Time

Lukasz Rozanki v Lawrence Okolie is set for a scheduled 22:00 (BST) start, although this is dependant upon the undercard bouts.

It's expected that ringwalks will commence at around 21:50 (BST).

Lukasz Rozanski v Lawrence Okolie - Location and venue

With Rozanski the defending champion, the fight is taking place in his native Poland, at the Podpromie Arena in Rzeszow.

The indoor venue, which often hosts volleyball fixtures, has a capacity of around 4,000 spectators.

Lukasz Rozanski v Lawrence Okolie - TV Channel and how to watch

The clash between former Team GB Olympic star Okolie and the unbeaten Rozanski will be shown live on Sky Sports Arena and Sky Sports main Event to subscribers in the UK.

Are there any belts on the line for Lukasz Rozanski v Lawrence Okolie?

Rozanski won the WBC bridgerweight title with a shock first-round knockout of Alen Babic back in April 2023.

This fight will be the 38-year-old’s first defence, with Okolie stepping up from cruiserweight, which he has fought at for the whole of his 20-fight professional career to date.

Lukasz Rozanski v Lawrence Okolie - Odds

Former cruiserweight world champion Okolie will take to the ring as the 2/5 betting favourite, with Poland's hard-hitting Rozanski the 2/1 underdog.

Lawrence Okolie record

(19-1, 14 KOs)

Okolie, nicknamed ‘The Sauce, made a name for himself in the amateur ranks after competing for Great Britain at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The man from Hackney turned pro in January 2017, with his first fight in March 2017 on the undercard for the Jorge Linares v Anthony Crolla clash in Manchester.

After seven consecutive victories, Okolie claimed the vacant WBA Continental cruiserweight belt with a unanimous decision over Isaac Chamberlain.

He then won the Commonwealth cruiserweight title with victory over Luke Watkins in June 2018, before three months later beating Matty Askin to win the British belt.

Okolie then won nine straight fights, claiming the European and then WBO title on the way, before the Billam-Smith majority decision loss in Bournemouth last May.

Lukasz Rozanski record

(15-0, 14 KOs)

Rozanski started his professional career back in October 2015, winning his opening bout with a knockout victory over Mateusz Zielinski.

After 13 victories, including a win over Britain’s Michael Sprott in June 2018, the Polish fighter eventually got a shot at a title in May 2021.

Rozanski beat fellow countryman Artur Szpilka in round one to win the vacant WBC International Bridgerweight title.

He then added the WBC belt two years later with his victory over Croatia’s Babic, who had not lost any of his 11 previous fights. 

Lukasz Rozanski v Lawrence Okolie - Undercard

• Lukasz Rozanski v Lawrence Okolie (WBC bridgerweight title)

Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.