'Here, there, anywhere!' - Lawrence Okolie wants shot against interim champion

A Lawrence Okolie-Agit Kabayel heavyweight blockbuster should happen, with the former's trainer Joe Gallagher insistent his man will "fight here, there [or] anywhere".

The former WBO cruiserweight champion is currently the WBC's number-one ranked contender in the glamour division, and in a fine position to push for further titles.

Kabayel, who dismantled Damian Knyba last month to retain the body's interim strap, is next in line to theoretically challenge for Oleksandr Usyk's full crown.

But with the Ukrainian anticipated to potentially pursue another opponent, the Leverkusen-born fighter could be on a crash course with Okolie for his next defence.

Speaking on a potential bout, Gallagher believes there should be no objection to a possible bout, and stresses that his star will travel abroad to get the job done too.

"I don't see no reason why it can't happen," he told Sky Sports News on a likely fight. "It should happen, Lawrence Okolie versus Kabayel for the WBC interim [crown].

"If Usyk gets stripped, [then] for the WBC world title. That's what we want. We're saying he's no boogeyman because we're willing to fight him We want that fight.

"I don't think he can run no more. Lawrence will fight in Germany. Lawrence is not bothered, he'll fight here, there, anywhere. That's a fight we'll want

"I'm hugely confident that we'll beat the boogeyman of the heavyweight division. If he's given the opportunity and given good notice and a proper camp, I think he will."

Okolie eyes bright stars but Kabayel impatient

DAZN News correspondent Andrew Steel

This isn't the first we've heard about Lawrence Okolie entering the frame to face Agit Kabayel in recent months, but talk will only continue to grow from here on out.

The British star is arguably underrated at this level despite that lofty WBC rating, without the euphoric hype of Moses Itauma or the physical belt of Fabio Wardley.

A chance to take on Kabayel, who has worked his way through several other contenders below the champion stratum, would be a serious test of his credentials too.

Unfortunately for him, the German may not be willing to entertain proverbial lowball challenges much longer, especially with Oleksandr Usyk seemingly free to fight.

With the collapse of his pursuit to face Deontay Wilder, the Ukrainian may have no objection to dodge a possible bout against the WBC interim title holder this season.

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