Heavyweight Rivals Poised for African Showdown
British heavyweight Dillian Whyte has been handed a potential career lifeline in the form of a grudge match against domestic rival Lawrence Okolie. The high-stakes bout is being targeted for a historic boxing card in Nigeria on December 19, offering the 'Body Snatcher' a dramatic route back into world title contention.
Frank Warren and Amir Khan Spearhead African Boxing Push
The blockbuster event, promoted by Frank Warren's Queensberry and Amir Khan, forms part of a significant week for African boxing. Eddie Hearn's Matchroom is scheduled to stage a separate event in Ghana just 24 hours later. Okolie, whose parents were born in Nigeria, is confirmed to headline the card for what would be his first professional fight on African soil.
Amir Khan, CEO of AK Promotions, has publicly confirmed the offer to Whyte. "We’ve offered Dillian Whyte the fight with Lawrence Okolie," Khan stated. "There’s bad blood between the pair of them, and it is a fight fans around the world have been calling for for a very long time." Khan positioned the fight as a final opportunity for Whyte, highlighting that Okolie is ranked number one with the WBC, a belt Whyte pursued for years.
A Pivotal Moment for Whyte's Career
This offer arrives at a critical juncture for the 37-year-old Whyte. His career has stalled following a brutal first-round knockout loss to rising prospect Moses Itauma in August. Prior to that setback, he had fought just twice in 2024, with an underwhelming performance against Ebenezer Tetteh and a cancelled bout against Joe Joyce due to injury.
For Okolie, the 32-year-old former cruiserweight world champion, this fight represents a chance to re-establish himself in the heavyweight division. He has been out of action since a points victory over Kevin Lerena in July, a fight in which he sustained a bicep injury. Despite being deep in preparation for his own return, Okolie has even expressed interest in travelling to Puerto Rico to help Jake Paul prepare for his fight with Anthony Joshua, which is curiously scheduled for the same date, December 19.
With a bitter rivalry dating back to a leaked 2019 sparring video and years of public barbs, this potential clash in Nigeria offers more than just a ranking; it offers a chance for one of British boxing's most persistent feuds to finally be settled in the ring.
