/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58333215/860989030.jpg.0.jpg)
Matchroom today confirmed that the WBA Continental cruiserweight championship will be on the line when Britons Lawrence Okolie and Issac Chamberlain clash at London's O2 Arena on February 3rd.
️ News just in!
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) January 15, 2018
The vacant WBA Continental Cruiserweight Title is on the line when @Lawrence_tko and @IChamberlain_ collide on Feb 3! #OkolieChamberlain #BritishBeef pic.twitter.com/3PJACMKUCf
Both Okolie and Chamberlain come into the fight undefeated, the addition of the WBA continental championship adds another interesting narrative to this already simmering grudge match.
25-year-old Okolie made his professional debut in March, 2017, an occasion he marked by demolishing Geoffrey Cave in just 20 seconds. Okolie has fought a further six times since victory over Cave, his record standing at six TKO victories from seven bouts, a handy 88% knockout ratio.
The "Sauce" is handled by IBF, WBA "super" and IBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua's promotional company - aptly named "AJ Bxing".
Feb 3rd the young lion headlines the o2 arena. March 31st the hungry king goes after more territory. What a start to the year . #okolieboxing #ajboxing #pennybois #sauce #stayhungry pic.twitter.com/Ac5W1zmoQl
— Lawrence Okolie (@Lawrence_tko) January 14, 2018
Hackney-born Okolie also enjoyed a solid amateur career, overcoming American hopeful Cam F. Awesome and qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Chamberlain comes in to the fight on a run of three consecutive stoppage wins and boasts a record of four KO’s in nine.
However, the Brixton-born puncher showed huge heart to clinch the Southern Area belt last September against Wadi Camacho, despite suffering a dislocated shoulder in the third round.
Following confirmation of the fight, Chamberlain said:
"It’s been a long time coming. I’m pleased we have finished and signed off on all the negotiations, now that is done we can focus on the fight. It’s a great fight for British boxing fans."
"Nothing has been given to me and I still have that underdog mentality - everything I want I have to go and get it, I’ve earnt my stripes.
"That’s made me a lot stronger fighter and that’s going to show on February 3. I want to knock him out. I’m going to knock him out. I’m going to train so hard, I’m going to knock him out cold."