Mikael Lawal


Mikael Lawal is a Nigerian-born British-French professional boxer who held the British cruiserweight title from November 2022 until October 2023.

Early life

Lawal was born in Lagos, Nigeria. He moved to the UK and France at age one and lived there until he was 13 when went back to Nigeria with his mother, who died a short while later. Lawal, then aged 14, moved in with his father and stepmother but ran away from home due to difficulties in the household. He lived in Paris before moving London. He lived on the streets for a short period before visiting the British High Commission, after which he was placed in an orphanage and eventually returned to the UK at age 16.

Professional career

After only nine amateur bouts, Lawal had his first professional fight at York Hall in London on 22 April 2017, stopping Jindrich Velecky in the first round. He signed a long-term promotional contract with Team Sauerland in July 2017.
With a 16 fight unbeaten record, Lawal was scheduled to face Deion Jumah for the vacant British cruiserweight title at Alexandra Palace in London on 27 November 2022. However, Jumah suffered a career-ending eye injury while sparring in training camp and withdrew less than two weeks before the contest. Lawal fought late replacement David Jamieson and claimed the title when his opponent retired after the eighth round due to a jaw injury.
Back at York Hall on 21 October 2023, he lost the title in his first defense, suffering a unanimous decision defeat against Isaac Chamberlain in a bout where the vacant Commonwealth cruiserweight championship was also up for grabs.
In his next fight, Lawal challenged English cruiserweight champion Viddal Riley at The O2 Arena in London on 31 March 2024, losing by unanimous decision.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
19Loss17–2Viddal RileyUD1031 Mar 2024The O2 Arena, London, EnglandFor English cruiserweight title
18Loss17–1Isaac ChamberlainUD1221 Oct 2023York Hall, London, EnglandLost British and for vacant Commonwealth cruiserweight titles
17Win17–0David Jamieson8, 3:0027 Nov 2022Alexandra Palace, Muswell Hill, London, EnglandWon vacant British cruiserweight title
16Win16–0Javier AndinoKO2, 1:2530 July 2022Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth, England
15Win15–0Leonardo Damian BruzzeseTKO5, ?:??20 Nov 2021Wembley Arena, London, England
14Win14–0Benoit HuberTKO3, 1:362 Oct 2021Wembley Arena, London, England
13Win13–0Ossie JervierUD610 Nov 2020BT Sports Studio, London, England
12Win12–0Damian ChambersTKO1, 1:3419 Jul 2019Planet Ice, Cheshire, England
11Win11–0David JamiesonUD319 Jul 2019Planet Ice, Altrincham, England
10Win10–0Antony Woolery319 July 2019Planet Ice, Altrincham, England
9Win9–0Kent KauppinenPTS619 July 2019York Hall, London, England
8Win8–0Tamas Kozma, 2:09328 Sep 2018King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
7Win7–0Istvan KunTKO3, 2:0614 Jul 2018Baden-Arena, Offenburg, Germany
6Win6–0Adam WilliamsTKO5, 2:5017 Feb 2018Manchester Arena, Manchester, England
5Win5–0Istvan Orsos627 Jan 2018Arena Riga, Riga, Latvia
4Win4–0Tomislav RudanTKO2, 2:5714 Oct 2017Wembley Arena, London, England
3Win3–0Jakub Wojcik416 Sep 2017Echo Arena, Liverpool, England
2Win2–0Florians StrupitsTKO1, 1:579 Jul 2017York Hall, London, England
1Win1–0Jindrich Velecky1, 2:9422 Apr 2017York Hall, London, England