Photos: Lawrence Okolie Returns, Decisions David Light To Retain WBO Title

Manchester Arena, Manchester - WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie (19-0, 14 KOs) picked up a twelve round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten mandatory challenger David Light (20-1, 12 KOs). (photos by Lawrence Lustig)

The scores were 116-112, 119-108 and 117-110.

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The much larger Okolie came out jabbing in the first round. Light was looking to make it a rough fight on the inside. It was more of the same in the next few rounds, with Okolie using his long frame and size to control the action.

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By the fifth round, Light was reaching and jumping inside, which allowed Okolie to catch him coming in. There wasn't much to worry about for Okolie in the sixth. Light was holding a very high guard, which made Okolie target the body often when close. There was a lot of holding and wrestling between the two.

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In the eight and ninth, Okolie was starting to land a bit more often, but nothing seemed to really hurt Light, who kept coming forward and trying to make the fight rough. In the tenth, Okolie finally seemed to buzz Light with a solid right and was tagging away with punches to the head. Light was able to weather the storm as Okolie slowed down the pace.

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During the eleventh, Okolie was deducted a point for excessive holding. But then a moment later he rocked Light with a big right hand. Once again Light was able to weather the moment. In the twelfth and final round, there was more holding and wrestling between the two for most of the three minutes.

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