Joe Gallagher believes his fighter Lawrence Okolie has everything it takes to become the 'bogeyman' of the heavyweight division.

In July, former WBO cruiserweight champion Okolie (22-1, 16 KOs) thoroughly outboxed South Africa's Kevin Larena over 10 one-sided rounds at London's Wembley Stadium. After the fight, he revealed battling through the pain and limitations of a torn bicep. Okolie underwent surgery and, almost three months later, is edging closer to a training return.

"He hasn't had the full all-clear yet but it's getting there and he's getting closer. I want him to get out, have an eight or 10-rounder or something and we'll be ready to go," Gallagher told The Ring.

Gallagher - who recently announced receiving the all-clear after a life-threatening battle with stage four cancer - has now spent almost 18 months working with Okolie.

The partnership got underway in May 2024 with a trip into hostile territory and a first-round knockout of Poland's previously-undefeated WBC bridgerweight champion Lukasz Rozanski. Ring Magazine's 2015 Trainer of the Year then guided Okolie to an explosive heavyweight debut, an opening round blowout of Hussein Muhamed.

Although the torn bicep wasn't part of the script, the fight with Lerena gave Gallagher 10 invaluable rounds to learn out how Okolie responds to instructions, how he reacts in the corner and deals with problems. Gallagher has become a true believer in Okolie's ability.

"I can say all sorts about Lawrence but, when I do, people go mad, shoot me down and give me stick." Gallagher said.

"I hear people say that nobody wants to fight Zhilei Zhang or Martin Bakole but I tell Lawrence all the time, 'It won’t be long before you become the bogeyman in the division. Nobody will want to fight you.'"

Undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is currently sidelined with a back injury and in his absence, speculation has grown about whether the Ukrainian great will continue meeting his mandatory obligations to hold his undisputed title or choose his battles and vacate one or more of his belts.

Gallagher and Okolie are focused on what Usyk decides to do with the WBC title. At the moment, the Londoner sits at number one in the rankings, just behind Germany's interim champion Agit Kabayel (26-0, 18 KOs).

It is believed that Kabayel - The Ring's No. 3-rated heavyweight - is close to agreeing a deal to fight Albania's undefeated contender Nelson Hysa, but once he has taken care of that business and Okolie has worked back to full fitness, Gallagher welcomes the matchup.

"We've asked for the Kabayel fight," he said.

"Kabayel is there as the interim champion and Lawrence is number one. I think Kabayel has a fight booked before the end of the year but if Usyk does vacate his belt, it'll be Lawrence against Kabayel for the heavyweight championship of the world.

"I tell Lawrence, when people talk and say how good Kabayel is, let them blow smoke. Just stay quiet. That way, when he beats him, there's nothing anybody can say."