Lawrence Okolie ready to embrace the 'electricity' in Nigeria homecoming

Lawrence Okolie is excited to fight in Nigeria in an event he feels like has been a long time coming. 

Tonight live on DAZN, Okolie will take on Ebenezer Tetteh, and the former will be a huge favourite with Tetteh losing his last two fights by way of knockout. 

But while Okolie will be looking to make a statement inside the ring, he is hoping the event can be a showcase for the city of Lagos and Nigeria outside of it. 

Okolie explains what makes Nigerian fight fans special

This year has seen big time boxing return to Africa, and tonight's show is part of a double header. 

On Saturday, Craig Richards knocked out Dan Azeez in dramatic fashion on a Matchroom Boxing card in Accra Ghana, now it's Okolie's turn to produce something similar in Lagos, Nigeria. 

With many of his Nigerian family members expected to attend, tonight's clash with Tetteh will be a huge moment in Okolie's boxing career, but what will make this event in Lagos different compared the numerous stadiums and arenas Okolie has fought in across the UK? 

"The energy of the crowd, the energy of the people, they are really behind their fighters," Okolie said. 

"There are drums, there’s screams, men, women and children screaming, there’s an electricity behind it, a pride.

"I compare it to how people are with their football teams; it means a lot to them to see their guys go on and win. I can’t wait to feel that energy on the day."

What's next for Okolie if he beats Ebenezer Tetteh

A win over Tetteh would set up what could be an exciting 2026 for Okolie at heavyweight. 

Ranked number one with the WBC, Okolie has made no secret that he would like to face interim champion Agit Kabayel, but with the German in action on January 10, live on DAZN, he may not get this fight until the second half of next year. 

• Read next | After being suspended from boxing, this British rising star wants to headline a stadium in 2026

Instead, there could be a quicker route to a world title shot, and that's WBO heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley. 

After being upgraded from interim titleholder following Oleksandr Usyk's decision to vacate the WBO belt, Wardley is hoping to kick off his heavyweight title reign with a bang and Okolie would be an interesting first defence. 

Both men are heavy handed, and for Okolie, he will finally get the chance to prove his credentials as a serious force at heavyweight during a tenure, which so far, has felt underwhelming.

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