The WBC has received official confirmation that Lawrence Okolie has decided to relinquish his WBC bridgerwieght (224-pound) championship in order to pursue his dream of becoming a heavyweight champion. The WBC announced that interim champion Kevin Lerena has been confirmed as the new WBC bridgerwieght champion. Okolie, who has no fight scheduled, said, "First I would like to state how proud and happy I was to compete for and win the WBC bridgerweight belt. After much consideration it is with a heavy heart that I have to unfortunately relinquish the WBC bridgerweight belt respectfully requesting to be rated in the top 5 in the heavyweight division.”