New Zealand cruiserweight, David Light (20-0), takes the biggest step of his professional career to date on the 25th in Manchester as he faces WBO world cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie (18-0). Light, a former 2014 Commonwealth games silver medalist, is the mandatory challenger for Okolie, who defeated ProbBox's own Brandon Glanton last December to earn his shot as mandatory challenger. Light had to survive a tenth-round knockdown at the ProBox events centre, Florida, to claim a narrow split decision points victory against the then-undefeated Glanton.
Quotes Via Sky Sports
David of Auckland often has to convince people that he is a professional fighter, as people simply do not believe him due to his laid-back and calm nature. However, Light is calculated in his actions after revealing that he had been planning a possible bout with Okolie for a while.
"We've had our eye on Okolie for a few years," Light said. "We knew this was happening, and we've been preparing for it for a few years now.
"I've known that this is what it was going to be."
However, Light does feel that Okolie has weaknesses but does not feel that the world champion is underestimating him.
"He's got bits that he can be exploited too.
"He's got a massive right hand, he's got the height and uses his height. He can avoid danger in that way."
"My sparring's been awesome and I've had really good guys who have been able to emulate Okolie really well.
"Any tall guy, you're going to have to deal with those things and try and get away from his jab and move your head and get in close and when you're close make sure that you really making the most of it. We've been working on those things with big guys."
Stereotypically of any fighter, Light refuses to say what he believes Okolie's weaknesses are but he fully expects Okolie to be at his best.
"I expect him to be at his best. I think we've done what we've needed to exploit the weaknesses we can see."