Okolie vs Cieslak LIVE: Fight stream, latest updates and result tonight
Okolie secured a unanimous-decision victory over his Polish opponent in front of a hometown crowd in London, though Cieslak had the majority of the support
Lawrence Okolie retained his WBO cruiserweight title against Michal Cieslak on Saturday night, outpointing the Pole in a scrappy affair.
Okolie was the hometown fighter in London’s O2 Arena, but it was his challenger who had the greater support throughout the main-event contest, which marked the Briton’s second defence of the belt. Okolie (18-0, 14 knockouts) remained unbeaten with the victory, which was hard fought and failed to see the 29-year-old operate at his highest level. The former Team GB Olympian struggled to time his right hand throughout the fight, while Cieslak (21-2, 15 KOs) frequently held the champion and looked to make it a messy contest. Ultimately, however, Okolie established a lead and made it to the final bell without that advantage having come under any real threat.
As such, it was little surprise when the judges’ scorecards were all revealed to favour Okolie – 117-110, 116-111, 115-112 – though the third flattered Cieslak.
On the undercard, Galal Yafai enjoyed a successful professional debut after winning gold for Britain at last summer’s Olympics in Tokyo. Also in action was Cambpell Hatton, son of British boxing icon Ricky Hatton. who secured a stoppage win to match Yafai’s. Re-live all the action from Okolie vs Cieslak and the evening’s undercard fights, below.
Okolie vs Cieslak
Guerfi vs Gill – Round 3
The pair stand in close and trade body shots.
Guerfi catches Gill with a left hook to the head as the Briton leans away.
The Briton comes back strong as the round ends.
Okolie vs Cieslak
Guerfi vs Gill – Round 2
Guerfi lands a short counter right hook as Gill backs him up.
More good head movement and slick jabs from Gill, who then sneaks an uppercut through Guerfi’s guard in the middle of a combination.
Okolie vs Cieslak
Guerfi vs Gill – Round 1
Shots are fired off fast and frequently from the opening bell. Guerfi catches Gill on the end of a right straight.
The champion now lands a one-two, and Gill is already very red on the right side of his face.
Gill comes back with a snapping jab through Guerfi’s guard. The Briton jabs low, then high again – both shots land.
Swift head movement from Gill, too, to lean back and dodge a hook. He ends the round on top with more good jabs and a couple of decent right straights!
Okolie vs Cieslak
Guerfi’s professional record is 30-5 (9 KOs), while Gill enters this bout at 26-1-1 (7 KOs).
Okolie vs Cieslak
Up next, France’s Karim Guerfi defends the European featherweight title against Jordan Gill, who is fighting out of Cambridge!
Okolie vs Cieslak
Liverpool’s Fowler gets it done via unanimous decision!
99-93, 99-92, 99-91 are the scorecards, all in favour of the 30-year-old.
Okolie vs Cieslak
Fowler vs Maciec – Round 10
In Fowler’s corner, trainer Shane McGuigan asks his fighter to mix up his rhythm and also end combinations with body shots.
Not much evidence of those adaptions from Fowler so far in this final round, though it must be hard admittedly, given Maciec is moving his head all over the place.
Maciec connects with a couple of big right hands! The story of the fight continues, though, with Fowler taking them very well.
The opponents clinch and Fowler finds a home for a harsh left hook to the ribs of Maciec.
We’ll go to the judges’ scorecards.
Okolie vs Cieslak
Fowler vs Maciec – Round 9
Maciec tries for one of those overhand rights but is stung with a straight shot and can’t fire off his punch.
The Pole is circling around the ring, with Fowler on the prowl.
Fowler calls on his opponent to engage.
One round left.
Okolie vs Cieslak
Fowler vs Maciec – Round 8
Fowler has pulled well clear by now but must avoid getting caught with anything big.
Maciec looks tired but has exhibited impressive resilience to stay in this.
Okolie vs Cieslak
Fowler vs Maciec – Round 7
Both men are still largely leaning on the same shots; Fowler with his left hook to the body and Maciec with his overhand right.
Fowler puts Maciec on the ropes once more with his best combination of the fight! Spiteful hooks down low, then upstairs!
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