Lawrence Okolie vs David Light: Ring walk time, how to watch, live stream, undercard

Lawrence Okolie defends his WBO cruiserweight belt against David Light tonight in his first fight since joining BOXXER and parting ways with Eddie Hearn.

The 30-year-old described Hearn as “malicious, jealous, bitter and vengeful” in the buildup to his third world title defense as their ugly war of words continued into fight week.

Okolie (18-0) is also looking to make a statement in the ring, vowing to showcase his development in his first fight with new trainer SugarHill Steward, who also trains Tyson Fury after dumping former cornerman Shane McGuigan.

The Brit fought just once in 2022 and was unable to get a unification fight he craves. However, a resounding victory over Light, who is also unbeaten albeit against lesser opposition, would seem like a good start to 2023.

With the fight now fast approaching, sports mail takes you through everything you need to know.

The Brit is putting his WBO cruiserweight title on the line as he makes his third defense.

When is Lawrence Okolie vs. David Light?

The clash between Okolie and Light is scheduled for Saturday March 25 at the AO Arena in Manchester.

The pair are expected to walk to the ring around 10pm for those in the UK, though that will, of course, depend on results beforehand.

There are some notable names on the card as well, particularly Frazer Clarke, who takes on Bogdan Dinu.

How to watch the fight

The fight, which will be a 12-round contest, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event.

Customers will be able to stream the fight via the app on their mobile device, tablet or computer.

You can also buy a Sky Sports Day Pass from Now for £11.99.

sports mail will also be covering the fight live, so you can stay up to date with us.

Okolie vs Light: the key stats

Okolie won his WBO cruiserweight belt with a KO win over Krzysztof Glowacki in 2021

‘The Sauce’ has defended his belt twice, most recently against Michal Cieslak at the O2 Arena

full billboard

• Lawrence Okolie vs. David Light – for the WBO cruiserweight title
• Frazer Clarke vs. Bogdan Dinu
• Michael Gomez Jr vs. Levi Giles
• Callum Simpson vs. Celso Neves
• Rhys Edwards vs. Brian Phillips
• Samuel Antwi vs. Omir Rodriguez
• Shakiel Thompson vs. Robert Talarek
• Karriss Artingstall vs. Linzi Buczynskyj
• Frankie Stringer vs. Jakub Laskowski
• Harvey Lambert vs. Casey Brown

What has been said?

Okolie has been typically confident ahead of his first meeting away from Hearn, insisting that the loser of the fight will become ‘irrelevant’.

“It’s a good safe place to hide behind being the underdog,” Okolie said. ‘When I see it I know what it really is. I am prepared for what it may bring and I will do what I have to do.

‘I’m going to be from the first round equaling and surpassing him in pressure and power.

‘Saturday will arrive. One of us will win and the other will become irrelevant. So I’m looking forward to it.

Okolie is fighting for the first time since parting ways with Matchroom and Eddie Hearn, and also for the first time since teaming up with new trainer SugarHill Steward.

Meanwhile, Light insists that he has earned his title shot, and makes sure that he will not come to Manchester to turn the tables.

“I’m not here on someone else’s terms…I’ve earned the opportunity,” he told a news conference on Thursday.

‘I come to win. I know that he is a proud man and that he will defend with everything he has,’ he continued. ‘I’m not reinventing the wheel.

‘You have to hit the other person more than he hits you. I’ve done the job.