Anthony Joshua believes his protege Lawrence Okolie will have his character tested when he fights Isaac Chamberlain on Saturday night in London.
The British cruiserweight duo are set to lock horns at the O2 Arena in a much-anticipated showdown.
Undefeated heavyweight champion Joshua will be looking on from ringside as his management company are guiding the career of 25-year-old Okolie.
Joshua has confidence Okolie can overcome his fellow Londoner in front of their home crowd but expects a gruelling battle.
“In terms of predictions of who is going to win, I’m going to say Lawrence because that’s my guy,” said Joshua.
“But in terms of how the fight will go, I think it will be epic and phenomenal because they are going to push each other past round six, round eight, and go into the championship rounds.”
Joshua has ascended to the peak of the heavyweight division in his 20-fight professional career and was keen to underline for Okolie the tests that are ahead of him come fight night.
“When you are the power puncher and expected to KO everyone in round one or two, and then you find someone who is making you miss, it makes you question yourself,” Joshua told Sky Sports.
“Isaac is very experienced, sparred world champions. He’s sparred myself, sparred Wilder, and he knows how to make these big punchers miss.
“Lawrence is very gutsy, rangy, been an Olympian. He’s been hurt, he’s hurt opponents, so when he goes to those later rounds he’ll be able to question himself once again.”
Both fighters go into the O2 contest unbeaten, with 23-year-old Chamberlain shading the Tale of the Tape in terms of ring experience.
Okolie is 1.62 to win the fight, with Chamberlain priced at 2.38.
Leave a comment
Link Dafabet