Team GB boxer Lawrence Okolie turns professional

18 January 2017 12:09

Lawrence Okolie has become the first member of Great Britain's Rio 2016 Olympic boxing squad to turn professional.

The 24-year-old heavyweight, who was beaten in his second fight in Brazil by Cuba's Erislandy Savon, has signed with Matchroom Sport.

Okolie, who surged through the amateur ranks after only taking up boxing in 2010, is expected to start his paid career in the cruiserweight division.

Okolie said: "I want to be the best cruiserweight that Britain has seen.

"David Haye has done great things, so has Johnny Nelson and many others, but I want to cement my legacy, have my name go down in history and maybe follow Haye by winning the heavyweight crown too."

Source: PA