TYSON FURY was aware that Lawrence Okolie would become a world champion after they sparred together.
Fury, who had hired the cruiserweight to train for Deontay Wilder's 2018 fight, was so confident that he reassured him.
Lawrence Okolie won WBO's cruiserweight title
This is despite Okolie's mentorship and management by Anthony Joshua, the Gypsy King.
Fury invited the now-WBO champion to Los Angeles to imitate Wilder (6ft 7in), and he was hailed as a star to watch.
SunSport interviewed Okolie, 28: "That trip there really boosted me confidence and belief even more."
"I was there with someone that I knew was a legitimate heavyweight champion-level fighter.
"I have been there with AJ but we are friends so it was good to be there with someone I respect as a fighter and get off to a good start.
"They even told me back then in camp, "Oh mate! You're destined for the world champion!"
"And I'm just glad I proved them right, and everyone else."
BETTING SPECIAL GET 30/1 ON FURY OR 50/1 ON WILDER FOR HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CLASHFury, 33, was the first to draw Wilder, 35. However, he won their 2020 rematch. His prediction came true in March.
Okolie defeated Krzysztof Golowacki (35), in round 6 of his crowning night.
Londoner who saw AJ box in the 2012 Olympics, while working at McDonald's has now set his sights on unifications.
Mairis Briedis (36-year-old IBF champion from Latvia), who beat Oleksandr Usyk (34-years old) in 2018, is at the top of his list.
He stated, "It's mostly whoever I can get. You can't concentrate on one person because they could lose a fight or someone else could be up."
"But he would still be my No1 choice because he is ranked No1 and I don’t like being around people who are ranked higher than me.
"It's like it's no, I won world title not to play around, I won world title to fight anyone, so why not go up to No1?"
"I think I'm No1. There's no cruiserweight who could beat me. But I must go out and prove it for myself."
Okolie, his former employer McDonald's, has joined forces with them to create a Plan for Change. Campaign.
By 2024, youth workers will be connected to every community's restaurant. There will also be 3,000 apprenticeship positions by 2025. One million people will have new skills and opportunities to work by 2030.
Okolie stated: "Working for McDonald's gave my stability and direction, but also opportunities and training."
"It was one of my best times in my life. I worked with my brother, made friends that I still have close to, and learned things like respect, punctuality and confidence.
It was there that I saw Anthony Joshua win the 2012 Olympics while on a break from the crew room. This inspired me to train hard and achieve my goals.
"Anything is possible if we work hard enough, and I encourage young people to believe that they can do anything.
- World Champion Boxer Lawrence Okolie has joined forces with McDonald's to launch a new campaign to improve the lives of thousands of young people. To find out more, visit mcdonalds.co.uk/planforchange
