Lawrence Okolie, nicknamed “The Sauce,” is a British professional boxer known for his remarkable rise from humble beginnings to becoming a world champion.
Below is a detailed breakdown of his life, career, and achievements.
Lawrence Okolie’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lawrence Okolie |
| Nickname | The Sauce |
| Date of Birth | December 16, 1992 |
| Age | 32 years old |
| Birthplace | Hackney, London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Religion | – |
| Height | 6’5″ (196 cm) |
| Reach | 82.7 inches (210 cm) |
| Turned Pro | March 25, 2017 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $3 million |
| Salary (Per Fight) | $350,000 – $450,000 (approx.) |
| Spouse | Not married; previously linked to rapper Ms. Banks |
| Instagram Profile | @lawrenceokolie |
Lawrence Okolie was born to Nigerian parents in Hackney, London.
Early Career
Early CareerDespite facing bullying and obesity in his youth, he transformed his life after being inspired by Anthony Joshua‘s Olympic victory in 2012.
Okolie began boxing at the age of 17 to lose weight and quickly excelled. He represented Team Great Britain at the 2016 Rio Olympics, reaching the Round of 16.
His amateur success included winning gold at the European Boxing Olympic Qualification Tournament.
Professional Career
Lawrence Okolie made his professional debut in March 2017 with a first-round knockout victory. In March 2021, he won the WBO Cruiserweight title by defeating Krzysztof Głowacki via knockout.
He held the WBC Bridgerweight title in 2024 before transitioning to heavyweight.
Okolie’s professional record stands at 21 wins (16 by KO) and 1 loss. He has fought notable opponents like Chris Billam-Smith, Michal Cieslak, and Lukasz Rozanski.
His most recent fight was a first-round knockout against Hussein Muhamed in December 2024.
Lawrence Okolie’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Lawrence Okolie’s net worth is estimated to be $3 million. This wealth comes from fight purses, endorsements, and his book Dare to Change Your Life.
Fight Purses
| Opponent | Purse Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Billam-Smith | $400,000 | 2023 |
| David Light | $450,000 | 2023 |
| Lukasz Rozanski | $350,000 | 2024 |
| Hussein Muhamed | $375,000 | 2024 |
Endorsements
- Adidas
- Under Armour
- Everlast Boxing
- Book promotions for Dare to Change Your Life
Career Records
| Opponent | Result | Method | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Krzysztof Głowacki | Win | KO | 2021 |
| Chris Billam-Smith | Loss | Decision | 2023 |
| Lukasz Rozanski | Win | TKO | 2024 |
FAQs
1. Who is Lawrence Okolie?
Lawrence Okolie is a British professional boxer born on December 16, 1992, in Hackney, London. He has held world titles in multiple weight classes, including the WBO cruiserweight title (2021–2023) and the WBC bridgerweight title (2024). He is also known by his nickname “The Sauce.”
2. What inspired Lawrence Okolie to start boxing?
Okolie was inspired to take up boxing seriously after watching Anthony Joshua win gold at the 2012 Olympics. At the time, he was working at McDonald’s and used boxing initially to lose weight.
3. What is Lawrence Okolie’s professional boxing record?
Okolie’s record stands at 21 wins, 1 loss, and 0 draws, with 16 wins by knockout. His knockout percentage is approximately 76%.
4. What are Lawrence Okolie’s physical attributes?
Okolie stands 6’5″ (196 cm) tall with a reach of 82.7 inches (210 cm). He fights in an orthodox stance.
5. What were Lawrence Okolie’s achievements as an amateur boxer?
Okolie represented Team GB at the 2016 Rio Olympics as a heavyweight. He won his opening bout but was eliminated in the Round of 16 by Erislandy Savón. He also won gold at the European Boxing Olympic Qualification Tournament.
6. What titles has Lawrence Okolie won as a professional boxer?
Okolie has won several titles, including:
- WBO cruiserweight title (2021–2023)
- WBC bridgerweight title (2024)
- Commonwealth cruiserweight title (2018–2019)
- British cruiserweight title (2018–2019)
- European cruiserweight title (2019)
7. Why did Lawrence Okolie move to heavyweight?
Okolie transitioned to heavyweight in late 2024 due to struggles making the weight limit for cruiserweight and bridgerweight divisions. He debuted as a heavyweight with a first-round TKO win over Hussein Muhamed.
8. What setback did Lawrence Okolie face in his career?
In May 2023, Okolie lost his WBO cruiserweight title to Chris Billam-Smith via majority decision. This marked his first professional defeat but motivated him to move up in weight classes.
9. What are Lawrence Okolie’s ventures outside boxing?
Okolie is also an author, musician, and entrepreneur. His book “Dare To Change Your Life” details his journey from obesity and bullying to becoming a world champion.
10. Does Lawrence Okolie have any upcoming fights scheduled?
Okolie does not have a fight scheduled but is ranked highly in the heavyweight division and is targeting future world title opportunities.
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