I’ve sparred Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury but scary prospect was toughest at just 15-years-old in ‘school uniform’
Lawrence Okolie has sparred Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, but was given his toughest examination by another frightening prospect.
Okolie is a two-weight world champion who has shared the ring with some of the best fighters in the sport, including some of the heaviest-handed heavyweights.
‘The Sauce’ has touched gloves with the likes of long-term friend Joshua regularly as well as former two-time champion Fury, who he sparred in 2023 while competing at cruiserweight.
After moving up to the blue-riband division himself with a big first round KO win, some of these names could become his future opponents.
But despite sparring some formidable profiles, the new British heavyweight was most threatened by prospect Moses Itauma in a tough sparring session.
He recalled the rounds during an interview on talkSPORT’s White & Jordan, revealing they were his toughest despite Itauma being just 15-years-old.
He said: “Funnily enough, I don’t know if it was because I was making cruiserweight or not.
“But the young up and comer, Moses Itauma that I remember sparring when he was 15 when I was preparing for a world title shot.
“I don’t know what it was about him, he was so fast and explosive and also very skillful.
“To be fair that’s the toughest spar I had. I was 27 and geared up for a world title shot and in my best shape.
“This boy came in his school uniform, taking off his tie and blazer and coming in to give some great work.
“That’s why I’m rooting for him, as I want someone with that much talent actually go and accomplish great things.”
Itauma has earned rave reviews from a number of big names, having even faced lofty comparisons to heavyweight legend Mike Tyson.
The 19-year-old has had 10 fights already in his professional career, and is yet to be beaten winning eight of them by KO.
Fury has already tipped Itauma as a future star of the division, given he has already risen to a superb standard.
The ‘Gypsy King’ even himself admitted that he would avoid a showdown with Itauma, who clearly carries formidable punching power.
Itauma will even help Fury spar for his upcoming rematch with Oleksandr Usyk on December 21, a sign that he is considered a real force moving forward.
The Briton will face experienced Australian Demsey McKean on the undercard of the sequel, as he looks to continue to expand his profile.
And his trainer Ben Davison, who is also the cornerman for Joshua, believes he is the best prospect in the heavyweight scene currently.
“He’s a very smart, intelligent fighter. He’s a thinking fighter,” he said.
“At his age a lot of it is instinct. Our job is to make it very conscious so when he comes across another fighter with a high IQ, he’s able to process, he’s able to have answers for whatever questions they’re asking back of him.
“He’s able to recognise traps that better opponents are trying to set on him. I feel like his progress is quick.
“I know sometimes he plays it down but he really loves the sport. He’s got a lot of passion for it and he’s really exciting.”
Okolie and Itauma could be pit against each other in the future, given he too plans to join Itauma at the pinnacle of the division.
The former Olympian is already ranked fifth in the WBC rankings, and is hoping to make a quick push towards world glory.
It could easily see the pair pit in a future all-British clash, which would certainly light up the squared circle.