Cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie won't rule out working with Jake Paul in the future after being impressed with the YouTuber during a training session last week.
Both Paul and Okolie shared photos of the pair working out in Dubai before taking part in the broadcast for Deji vs Floyd Mayweather at the Coca-Cola Arena. They shared the ring for a session during the week before playing laser tag with Okolie's 258 Management and Matchroom Boxing stablemate Anthony Joshua.
Speaking with Mirror Fighting as part of his partnership with McDonald's and BBC Children in Need, Okolie explained what he and Paul were up to together. And the unbeaten cruiserweight champion is open to a partnership down the road.
"We met in person sort of by chance at a restaurant and it went from there," Okolie said. "We exchanged some words and we ended up training. For me, I've always said that I think there's a place for YouTube boxing as it were, but when I actually spoke to him and heard his ambitions and his motives behind boxing I sort of started rooting for him.
"Of course he's the 'Problem Child' and a bad boy but we trained, he trains hard and he gave it his best shot when he was in the ring with me or whoever else. You've got to give the guy his credit and understand that he's in a position where most boxers don't have millions of pounds or dollars.
"He's already made millions in boxing and outside of boxing, so for him to risk his life, which is what he does every time he gets in the ring, for his goals and aspirations I have to respect it... We had a good sort of mix and worked through some motions and he put in the work."
Okolie and Paul didn't spar, given that the social media star is a raw novice and he is an Olympian-turned-world champion with multiple defences. But they did move around, and the Brit was impressed with the controversial American's ability as they worked together.
"At the end of the day, they way I look at it is that if you want to take up boxing I want to see you put in the work," he explained. "I want to see that it's not a joke to you and with him, it's not a joke." And asked if the pair would work together, Okolie responded: "We'll see, we'll take it one day at a time. Obviously we're just building out relationship so I don't want to over-edge it."
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The Brit is currently teaming with McDonald's and BBC Children In Need, which included a recent visit to Carneys Community boxing gym where he helped to train young fighters. He has been an ambassador with McDonald's for years after working their during his youth before pursuing world honours in boxing.
"It was a great experience," he said of training with the youngsters. "I think that because of how I've climbed up through the ranks and gone on sometimes you almost need a reminder of the transition that you made personally. I was one of those kids in a youth club paying my £1 subs to get some boxing training and now I'm a world champion.
"So it was good for me on a personal level and I think it was great for the kids as well, they were excited to have a champion in the gym interacting with them. I think outside of being a role model the most important thing is being a reference and a relatable one where you're within reach and they can see you, talk to you and understand that this is achievable for them."
World Champion boxer Lawrence Okolie has teamed up with McDonald’s to support their appeal for this year’s BBC Children in Need which aims to improve the life chances for over one million young people. To find out more, visit https://www.mcdonalds.com/gb/en-gb/good-to-know/bbcchildren-in-need.html
