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
Wardley vs Martz – Round 2
Wardley lands a one-two of huge hooks to the head of Martz with the American’s back against the ropes!
Martz staggers to his left then belatedly takes a knee. Wardley looks unimpressed. Martz is just about okay to continue, but Wardley senses a finish here and puts the American down again!
Martz is on all fours as the referee counts... Martz motions to his ear and says something to the official while shaking his head – he won’t continue.
Wardley with the stoppage win!
Okolie vs Cieslak
Wardley vs Martz – Round 2
Wardley lands a one-two of huge hooks to the head of Martz with the American’s back against the ropes!
Martz staggers to his right then belatedly takes a knee. Wardley looks unimpressed.
Martz is just about okay to continue, but Wardley senses a finish here and puts the American down again!
He’s on all fours as the referee counts... Martz motions to his ear and says something to the official while shaking his head – he won’t continue.
Wardley with the stoppage win!
Okolie vs Cieslak
Wardley vs Martz – Round 1
Martz looks a little tentative, a little stiff as he throws out some jabs just to gauge range. Wardley looks much looser in comparison.
Slow but heavy hook to the body from Martz. Wardley retaliates with a quicker, longer hook to the midriff.
Martz tries for a one-two, but it’s easily evaded, the American lumbering towards Wardley with that effort.
Better work from Martz now, though, as he lands some right straights with Wardley’s back against the ropes.
Just as the American starts to build some momentum, the action is halted due to Wardley’s mouthguard coming out.
Okolie vs Cieslak
Daniel “The Mountain” Martz (20-9-1, 17 KOs) is fighting out of the US, while Suffolk fighter Fabio Wardley (12-0, 11 KOs) has the home support here.
Okolie vs Cieslak
Heavyweight action is up next at the O2 Arena!
Fabio Wardley takes on Daniel Martz.
Okolie vs Cieslak
Hatton, 21, did well to get a finish there in the final round, punctuating a promising performance.
Okolie vs Cieslak
Hatton vs Ducker – Round 6
A left hook to the head wobbles Ducker, who tries to return fire but can’t land on an evasive Hatton.
Each man lands a sharp jab simultaneously, snapping the other’s head back.
Ducker with a one-two, the right straight connecting but not doing much damage...
Hatton now starts to pour on pressure and the bout is waved off with Ducker still standing! He looked very dazed and would surely have been put down soon.
Okolie vs Cieslak
Hatton vs Ducker – Round 5
Campbell catches Ducker on the end of a long hook. His opponent responds with a quick flurry at close range.
Heavy body hook from Ducker, but he’s tagged with a double-jab to the face. Ducker is then staggered by hooks to the head, the first landing clean and the second clattering into his guard.
A one-two from Hatton pierces Ducker’s guard, but he then misses with a wild hook. The pair trade jabs.
Ducker puts together a couple of short combinations, to the head then the body.
Okolie vs Cieslak
Hatton vs Ducker
Ducker is sporting a fair bit of damage to the face at the midway stage of this one, with Hatton mixing up his attacks nicely.
Effective hooks to the body now from Hatton. He’s nice and light on his feet.
Good head movement to duck under a hook and swing his own into Ducker’s midriff.
Hatton connects with a straight right up top to end the round.
Okolie vs Cieslak
The first main card bout of the evening sees Campbell Hatton, son of British boxing icon Ricky Hatton, take on Joe Ducker in a lightweight bout.
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