The WBC has been notified that the mandatory bridgerweight title fight between champion Lawrence Okolie and interim champion Kevin Lerena could not be agreed upon. Therefore, a purse bid will be held by the WBC on September 20th in London. The British Okolie (pictured) captured the WBC bridgerweight title by defeating former champion Lukasz Rozanski in the first round back in May. Okolie (22-2 including the World Series of Boxing) is a two-division champ, having held the WBO cruiserweight title from 2021-2023. The South African Lerena (30-3, 14 KO), in his most recent fight, suffered a close loss at heavyweight, in a competitive battle against Justis Huni. He became WBC interim bridgerweight title holder by defeating Ryad Merhy in 2023.