Team GB boxing gold hopeful Lawrence Okolie was bullied for being obese before fighting his way to Rio 2016 where he hopes to emulate IBF champ Anthony Joshua
GREAT British Rio 2016 Olympic hope Lawrence Okolie used to be bullied for being obese – and only took up boxing after doctors warned he needed to shift some weight.
Lawrence admits that as a schoolboy he was more interested in munching than punching, was hopeless at sport and was belittled by ruthless bullies who derided his size and shape.
But when in 2010 the then 17-year-old Londoner was told by his GP that he was clinically obese at 6ft 5ins and almost 19 stone, and needed to take up an activity or risk his long-term health, he decided to try his hand at pugilism – with remarkable results.
A couple of years later, while on a break at the fast-food restaurant he was working in, Lawrence watched his idol Anthony Joshua win the heavyweight title at the 2012 London Olympics – giving him hope that he could fight at a future Games.
Now 23, in what is an incredible story of self-belief and dedication, Lawrence will next month follow in Joshua’s footsteps as Britain’s representative in the same weight division in Rio.
Speaking to Tom Latchem on talkSPORT Extra Time, Lawrence said of his troubled schooldays: “When I was younger and out of shape, I didn’t really have confidence in myself, I wasn’t really sure what I was doing so I was an easy target.
“I was no good at sports, I was just flobbing about. I was never really a people-person, [or good at] talking.
“I would get the name calling, sometimes the physical stuff, I was picked on for having an African name, and seeming a bit weird to other kids. I just had to go through that.”
Discussing how he fell into boxing, Lawrence went on: “At 16 going on 17 years old, I was 120kg [almost 19 stone].
“I went to the doctor and they checked my height and weight and said I was clinically obese or something along those words.
“So they set me a weight target for like six weeks, and then I started training in boxing.
“I had tried jogging, going to the gym, but I would still eat badly, because I had no real structure, no real reason to lose weight.
“But with boxing, [I would think] ‘I’m going to punch the pads for a bit longer, I’m going to spar an extra two rounds, or you do my training and watch my diet’.
“That sort of discipline and work ethic just clicked with me and I just kept going. I came back [to the doctor] and I had completely smashed the target that they had set and it just kind of went from there.
“Now I feel good about everything has happened – bullying, then getting over bullying, being obese to now – it all makes me feel a little bit more proud of what I’m doing now, because I can look back and see that it wasn’t a straightforward route, like I was a good athlete in school and then I’ve just transferred into boxing.
“I just wish I could just say back to my younger self that it’s going to be OK.”
Lawrence recalls the moment he decided he wanted to become an Olympian – while working in a fast-food joint during London 2012.
He said: “During my break, Anthony Joshua won gold, so there was extreme excitement at seeing someone who’s grown up in a similar kind of area as me, done similar kinds of thing, getting to that level where he’s now an Olympic champion.
“That really boosted my motivation because I saw his progression and thought that was doable. So the Olympics was always my dream but I wasn’t sure how I would get the opportunity.”
Lawrence, who has only had around 25 fights, was taken to the Olympic qualification tournament earlier this year to build experience more than out of any hope that he might win through to Rio.
But he surprised everyone when he beat the world No 10, No 8 and No 3 and secure an automatic berth.
He said: “There was a belief within the camp that I could win, but it was just a case of being so inexperienced.
“I went in with 19 fights, [against] people who have had 50, 100, or however many, and they’ve been training for four years for it, so it was just a case of going in and seeing what happens.
“But I always knew I was going to go there to qualify and fortunately, I kept my cool and it ended up working out that way.”
Having shown he has the ability to beat some of the best amateur boxers out there despite lacking their experience, Lawrence, who is already in Brazil preparing for his first fight, is confident of bringing back gold.
He said: “I believe I can do it. I got into the GB team in October 2015 and then managed to get onto the podium in January so that was a quick turnover, then I managed to qualify for the Olympics in April, so I’m taking strides and learning on the go.
“I’m in a good place I feel good within myself. I feel I’ve learn the lessons I need to learn before the Olympics and I’m ready to go.”
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Lawrence still lives with his mum and brother, with whom he shares a bedroom, in a council flat in Stoke Newington, Hackney. But if he does well in Rio he has plans to upscale.
He said: “I’ll most likely stay in Hackney but me and my brother are like 6”4 and 6”5, so it’s a bit cramped now!
“So I might just move us all out to a bigger house together. We’ll have to wait and see how it goes.”
Lawrence also has his eyes on turning pro – and believes he can one day be a world champion like his hero Joshua, who he recently sparred with.
He said: “I’m in two minds, the most likely scenario is go for two Olympic golds, or try to be a professional world champion.
“But regardless, I have to get to the top of this sport, because I’m not afraid to take the rocky road, and take hard fights and learn on the job so I’m just ready to show what’s in this boxer.
“When you see people like Anthony Joshua, Luke Campbell, other Olympians who have gone on and turned professional, and the success they’re having in the professional scene, of course it’s something that excites me. As for when, I’m not sure yet but definitely it’s a dream of mine.
“I would probably turn professional at cruiserweight and definitely have what it takes to be world champion, but we’ll see how my body fills out over the years.
“It all depends on when I turn professional, but whatever division I go into, I expect to be the best in it.”
Lawrence hopes his tale will be an inspiration for British youngsters forced to endure what he went through. He said: “Boxing is tough and gruelling, not only physically but mentally.
“Waking up in the morning for runs, doing strength and conditioning, looking after my diet – which is one of the things I hate most, especially with my love of food – all that’s difficult, and as much as winning medals and world titles is on the horizon, it’s hard to keep motivated.
“So hoping that my story can motivate someone who’s going through a bit of a tough spell and isn’t really sure what they’re going to do, or what they’re going to become, into thinking, 'Lawrence has come from being a boy that no one really spoke to, to representing Great Britain in the Olympic Games,' and take a little spark from that, is one of my main motivations.”
You can listen to the interview in full on talkSPORT Extra Time, hosted by Tom Latchem, in the early hours of Saturday morning, and on Listen Again afterwards.