Emanuel Odiase Eyes World Title by 2027

London, UK - Rising German heavyweight Emanuel Odiase is set to return to action on July 19 in Germany, stepping in against late replacement Srdan Govedarica after an opponent change from Tomas Salek. Still early in his professional journey, Odiase is already attracting serious attention—not just for his talent, but for the heavyweight names already backing his climb.

With a perfect 7-0 record (6 KOs) since turning professional in 2023, Odiase has emerged as one of the more intriguing prospects in European boxing. That trajectory is especially impressive given his relatively late start in the sport.

“I started boxing pretty late,” Odiase admitted in a recent interview with DAZN. “Before that, I was playing football at a high level. My older brother Dominique took me to the boxing gym, and from my very first training session—which was actually sparring—I was hooked.”

Towering at 6’8”, Odiase made a quick impression on coaches with his raw athleticism and fast learning curve. That same natural ability soon earned him sparring opportunities with some of the most recognizable names in the division.

“I’ve already had sparring camps with Usyk, Wilder, Whyte, Dubois, Chisora—and of course, AJ,” he said. “Being around that level so early helped me understand what it really takes to train like a world-class athlete. It gave me a head start.”

Odiase’s time with Anthony Joshua, in particular, proved to be a turning point. More than just sharing the ring, he formed what he describes as a “special relationship” with the former unified world champion. Joshua and his team were impressed enough to sign Odiase to their 258 Management group.

“Working with AJ felt surreal,” Odiase said. “It gave me a lot of confidence to know that someone like him could see my potential. I think he saw both the athletic side and who I am as a person.”

Odiase's promotional pathway is also unique. Rather than signing early with an outside promoter, he launched his own banner—Ringside Zone—alongside his brother Dominique and their advisor Florian Winter. With 258 Management now on board, Odiase believes the mix of independence and experienced guidance is the perfect blend.

“Everything about how we’ve built this—from the training to the management—has been intentional,” he said. “When the opportunity to work with Joshua came, it just made sense for what we’re trying to achieve.”

Still considered a novice in the pro ranks, Odiase has no illusions about the road ahead. But he and his team have a clear and ambitious roadmap: a European title challenge by 2026, followed by a world title by 2027.

“We’ve developed a detailed career plan,” Odiase said. “Next year, I want to go for the European championship. From there, the goal is the world title by 2027.”

With a proven team behind him, a heavyweight frame built for power, and a maturity that belies his short time in the sport, Emanuel Odiase isn’t just chasing big dreams—he’s doing it with a plan.

“You can expect a lot of exciting fights from me in the years to come,” he added.