Mikael Lawal overcomes 'Heartbreaking' Steven Ward pullout to embrace Sky Sports chance

Mikael Lawal has been spoken about in admiring tones throughout London gyms for years. The hard-hitting Shepherd’s Bush cruiserweight has swapped punches with the likes of Oleksandr Usyk and Lawrence Okolie, but despite that experience, his 13-0 (7) record and a Boxxer tournament win under his belt, the Nigerian-born talent has yet to truly cross over into the mainstream. Recently signing to Sky Sports may change that dynamic but late last week, Lawal saw his British title eliminator with Belfast’s Steven Ward postponed as his injured opponent withdrew, leaving Mikael with a marking-time fight this Saturday at Wembley Arena.

"I’m now fighting Benoit Huber who’s good but Steven Ward... that was heartbreaking for me," admitted Lawal two days before the show. "Steven Ward’s my fourth opponent that’s pulled out against me in an eliminator for the British title. Hopefully he should accept the fight with me for November 10. I was quite disheartened but couldn’t really dwell on it for too long. I’m happy I’m still able to fight."

After just one outing in the last two years, Lawal will now clearly be kept busy by promoters Boxxer and Sky Sports. Having struggled to nail down marquee showdowns in the past, the 26-year-old is grateful for the allure his new platform can offer potential opponents.

"I’m son grateful to Sky and Boxxer," Lawal said. "It can definitely do a lot for my career. I feel I haven’t had the exposure I deserve and a lot of fighters have ducked me. It is tiring but I didn’t really bring anything to the table, they weren’t trying to take that risk. Being able to be on that platform gives me more of a backing to get these guys to actually come fight me."