The British fighter will challenge Polish opponent Lukasz Rozanski for the WBC title in the new bridgerweight division on May 24 and plans to move up to heavyweight for a clash against his compatriot - who is free to box again after a doping controversy that prevented him from taking on Anthony Joshua last year.

Okolie told Sky Sports: "Dillian Whyte's now back. Obviously everyone knows from back when I was Commonwealth and British champion I wanted that fight so that's definitely one on my radar. Outside of that we'll see what the landscape looks like.

"I've been looking at the heavyweights and seeing how much fun they've been having up there. I want to have a go as well."

Okolie believes that the new weight division has arrived at the ideal time for his career as he has been working hard with his new trainer Joe Gallagher.

He said: "It's come at the right time. New weight class, new energy, new trainer. I'm ready to take the bridgerweight then heavyweight scene by storm."

Okolie has been put through his pace by Gallagher at gyms in both Manchester and Saudi Arabia and is pleased to have proved that he still has the desire to box at the highest level.

The boxer joked: "He put me through session after session after session just the worst kind. What he said to me afterwards was: 'I just wanted to see if you really wanted it still.' I do, so that's good."