Manchester Area, Manchester – WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie (19-0, 14 KOs) picked up a twelve spherical unanimous resolution over beforehand unbeaten necessary challenger David Gentle (20-1, 12 KOs). (pictures by Lawrence Lustig)
The scores had been 116-112, 119-108 and 117-110.
The a lot bigger Okolie got here out jabbing within the first spherical. Gentle was trying to make it a tough combat on the within. It was extra of the identical within the subsequent few rounds, with Okolie utilizing his lengthy body and dimension to manage the motion.
By the fifth spherical, Gentle was reaching and leaping inside, which allowed Okolie to catch him coming in. There wasn’t a lot to fret about for Okolie within the sixth. Gentle was holding a really excessive guard, which made Okolie goal the physique typically when shut. There was a variety of holding and wrestling between the 2.
Within the eight and ninth, Okolie was beginning to land a bit extra typically, however nothing appeared to actually damage Gentle, who saved coming ahead and attempting to make the combat tough. Within the tenth, Okolie lastly appeared to buzz Gentle with a stable proper and was tagging away with punches to the pinnacle. Gentle was capable of climate the storm as Okolie slowed down the tempo.
Through the eleventh, Okolie was deducted some extent for extreme holding. However then a second later he rocked Gentle with a giant proper hand. As soon as once more Gentle was capable of climate the second. Within the twelfth and ultimate spherical, there was extra holding and wrestling between the 2 for many of the three minutes.Â
