has now moved full time over to Shane McGuigan. At least he’s trying to be better! Not sure it will work mind..,
Any reason why? Maybe becuase Barry was not UK based? But then a strange choice in the first place and now goes to shane. weird.
I’ve always liked Okolie’s attitude. He’s open about his shortcomings and expresses eagerness to improve. I think Shane will help him clean up his work and become more balanced. It’s a Good decision.
He's hiding massive porcelain, he's getting sparked out when he steps up to world level. Quote this then.
Shane has proved to be an unlikible trainer,good but smug. Okilie is awefull. You can't polish a turd
Okolie has that killer instinct and will to win. Respect for that. What he doesn’t have is any inside boxing skills. It’s a certainty that he gets sparked at European level even if he has careful matchmaking and a brown envelope referee. Simply because your answer to being on the inside cannot be holding every time because that is an illegal move. He should have DQd vs Matty Askins 100% Furthermore once you go up in class the better fighters know how to stop you from wanting to hold on the inside, thereby leaving you wide open and defenceless on the insid A fighter with 20% of Evander Holyfields inside skills would play basketball with a Okolie on the canvas
I think the hate for Okolie verges on the irrational. Hi strengths are that he is big, long, hits hard and has heart and desire. His weaknesses are that he is awkward, has no inside game and clinches excessively when up close. His personality also rubs some people up the wrong way but if that was an issue, 90% of all boxers would have problems as having an incredible degree of self belief and confidence is essential to any successful fighter. I would bet on Okolie being a world champ more than any other British prospect outside Buatsi. Also, all the knights who are out there killing Okolie about the Askin fight should look at it once more, Askin initiated more of the clinching than Okolie.
I think Okolie would be better off operating at British level for the time being, maybe even trying to win the British title outright before moving up. He needs to be advanced slowly.
Agree with this he’s only 26 and 12 fights in. Would take another 5 or 6 British/ euro level learning fights then step up in a couple of years. No point in rushing.
Yeah you're basically setting him up to fail if he gets pushed beyond regional level at this stage. There was talk of him fighting an old Lebedev but even an old Lebedev beats him easy if the ref doesn't allow Okolie to fall asleep on him.
Sorry Okolie has had too many consecutive stinkers for me. That style should not headline Saturday night fight nights let alone be a future PPV headliner. He really needs to earn back the viewers confidence in him. Also I say this time and time again; boxing fans are the most forgiving, gullible and naive fans of any sport. We literally accept rubbish fights with the promise of better fights down the line, which often never materialise. Don't feel compelled to be amazed by Okolie, it's his job to convince us he's good.