Lawrence Okolie vs Isaac Chamberlain: A fight with everything on the line and one that comes at the perfect time

With just 16 professional bouts between them, few expected the two Londoners to be fighting each other so soon in their careers, but public interest has been bubbling over the past year

The outcome of this fight could come to define the victor's career in the years to come (Getty)

The first major domestic fight of 2018 takes place at the O2 Arena tonight, as undefeated British cruiserweights Lawrence Okolie and Isaac Chamberlain meet in the ring.

With just 16 professional bouts between them, few expected the two Londoners to be fighting each other so soon in their careers, but public interest has been bubbling over the past year, and thousands of tickets have been sold at one of the most prestigious venues in the country.

The reason for the intrigue is simple, and touches on the emotions of boxing fans who feel under catered for when it comes to competitive match-ups. Whenever you stick two undefeated fighters against each other, the appeal of a fight increases to a casual fan. Considering Matchroom, the promoters of tonight’s fight, tend to cater almost exclusively to the more casual fan, promotion actually becomes easier because the need for authenticity dims.

If that sounds like a criticism, it’s absolutely not. Many dramatic moments have occurred between two good fighters putting their undefeated records on the line early on. George Groves and James DeGale had just 22 fights between them when they fought in 2011, while Tyson Fury and Dereck Chisora were both novice heavyweights going into their first fight.

Whether Chamberlain or Okalie will reach the same highs as those four fighters remains to be seen, but they’ve already managed to achieve something in the sport by making people care about them. Indeed, the success of this fight should be given to Chamberlain, who though just 23-years-old, was in danger of a stop-start career before his feud with Okolie began.

By speaking eloquently yet damagingly, Chamberlain drew Okolie into a war of words, which has continued to sizzle ever since. The older man by two years, Okolie has the higher name value, having been a 2016 Olympian and promoted heavily by Matchroom, and in professional boxing terms, he has the prettier record. Seven wins, six knockouts, and an aura of confidence inside and outside the squared circle has left people knowing exactly who he is.

Lawrence Okolie celebrates beating Antonio Sousa in there Cruiserweight Contest at York Hall last year (Getty)

Chamberlain has struggled to achieve the same momentum since making his debut three years ago. A 9-0 record is pretty, but he’s failed to dominate in the same manner as Okolie, despite worldwide sparring with the likes of Deontay Wilder and Oleksandr Usyk. Such sparring has led Okolie to believe his opponent has the mindset of a loser.

“They have got a sparring partner, losing mentality, but they have also got hunger,” Okolie told Sky Sports.

“There is a difference between a losing mentality and being hungry. He can want to win, be like hungry for the win, but you’ve still got a loser mindset.”

World champion Usyk believes Chamberlain has the skills to win the fight however, revealing to Sky Sports: “He wants to improve, get better, every day and every time we spar together and I have seen him get better, step by step.

“He definitely hits hard for a cruiserweight. I want him to win and would definitely like to see him do it.”

Nonetheless, some look at the power and confidence of Okolie, and think that he will overrun Chamberlain whenever he likes. That his height and reach advantage will negate any of Chamberlain’s own assets.

Many believe that Chamberlain has been one of the best kept secrets of British boxing (Getty)

But others believe that Chamberlain has been one of the best kept secrets of British boxing. That his heart is unquestionable, and his skills are underrated. And that the longer this fight goes, the more chance he has of claiming victory.

This is why the fight has come at a perfect time. The tangibles still remain, and the ambiguity remains high. If in 12 months’ time, Okolie had battered six more opponents while Chamberlain had laboured to one or two wins, the interest in this fight would have died. Yet as the bell time looms this evening, and the respective positives and weaknesses of both men are about to be thrown into the cauldron, the truth is still nothing more than a concept.

The bookmakers believe in Okalie, placing him as a narrow 8/13 favourite against the 6/4 Chamberlain. If you’re looking for value, even money on the fight to go all ten rounds could interest some, while Chamberlain, not bereft of power, is 6/1 to win by stoppage.

Fights come and go, and most ultimately end up being forgotten except by those closely involved in it. This bout may change things, however, as the winner soaks up the adulation and the future glory, while the loser will have to find another way to exist without that undefeated record.