Who could Lawrence Okolie face next in make-or-break 2026?

Lawrence Okolie added another heavyweight knockout to his record on Sunday night when he retired Ebenezer Tetteh on his stool at the end of the second round. 

The performance and result was not a surprise, and it now sets up what is a huge 2026 for Okolie. 

Since making his debut at heavyweight last year it's felt like Okolie is yet to have 'the fight' that will announce himself in boxing's most popular division. 

Next year could present that chance with Okolie wanting to face the biggest names, including a number of domestic rivals. 

DAZN News names three opponents Okolie could face in what is a make-or-break year for 'The Sauce'. 

Moses Itauma

Okolie was quick to call out heavyweight knockout artist Moses Itauma in the immediate aftermath of his win over Tetteh. 

"I'm wishing Moses Itauma luck in his fight against [Jermaine] Franklin and then after that we've been mandated to box for the final eliminator for the world title," Okolie said. 

"Two Nigerians getting it on. It's going to be amazing."

While Itauma appears to be on the brink of fighting for a world title, as long as he gets the win over Jermaine Franklin, a meeting with Okolie is a realistic possibility. 

In early December, the pair were ordered by the WBC to fight in a final eliminator to become the mandatory challenger for the governing body's heavyweight title. 

With both men fighting under the Queensberry Promotions banner, this is an all-British fight that can be made, and Okolie will present a different type of test for Itauma and his concussive punching power. 

Fabio Wardley

In the build-up to his fight with Tetteh, Okolie made no secret that he wants to challenge for a world title sooner rather than later. 

Ranked number one with the WBC, and with Oleksandr Usyk's next move uncertain, the 33-year-old is ready to seize any opportunity that comes his way. 

With Germany's Agit Kabayel the WBC's interim heavyweight champion, Okolie may have to fulfil his world title dream by going down a different route, cue WBO titleholder Fabio Wardley. 

Okolie was not afraid to call for a fight against Wardley whilst preparing for Tetteh, and it would be an intriguing matchup with Wardley's knockout style going up against someone in Okolie whose size often gives him a distinct advantage. 

Richard Riakporhe

If Okolie is unable to secure a world title fight, settling a grudge with Richard Riakporhe is a worthy alternative. 

The pair were set to meet in April, but an injury to Okolie saw the fight cancelled. With two knockout wins at heavyweight, Riakporhe is quickly gaining confidence and he will be eyeing up some marquee matchups. 

The rivalry between Okolie and Riakporhe is a heated one with the pair clashing outside of the ring with the latter  not afraid to call Okolie "a liar" following the cancellation of their April contest. 

If the pair can finally be brought together to settle their differences inside the ring, it has the potential to be a thrilling heavyweight affair.

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