Lawrence Okolie will be stepping into a lion’s den this weekend when he defends his WBO cruiserweight strap against hometown hero Chris Billam-Smith at AFC Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium.
The two British cruiserweights and former sparring partners are friends outside of the ring, but don’t let that fool you into thinking there’ll be anything but hard-hitting action when they collide.
Here’s everything you need to know about a top night of boxing in Dorset that also includes a tasty British cruiserweight title fight between Mikael Lawal and Isaac Chamberlain.
Where: Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth
When: Saturday 27th May, 2023
How To Watch: Sky Sports. The card will get underway at 7pm (BST) with the ring walks for the main event expected at approximately 10pm.
Tale Of The Tape:
Okolie
Place Of Birth: Hackney, London
Age: 30
Alias: The Sauce
Record: 19-0 (14)
Height: 6’5’’
Reach: 82½’’
Stance: Orthodox
Last Fight: Okolie earned a unanimous decision win over the previously undefeated David Light, 20-1 (12), at Manchester’s AO Arena in March.
Billam-Smith
Place Of Birth: Epsom, Surrey
Age: 32
Alias: The Gentleman
Record: 17-1 (12)
Height: 6’3’’
Reach: 75’’
Stance: Orthodox
Last Fight: Billam-Smith stopped Kosovo’s Armend Xhoxhaj, 15-3 (8), inside five rounds at the Bournemouth International Centre in December.
What They Say:
Billam-Smith: "I am excited. I think it is a great fight for the sport. It didn't take long to make once it got offered - it was probably signed within a week.
"The dream for any fighter is to be world champion and to do it at the stage I've got, the opportunity I've got, is a dream come true. It's down to me to fulfil my dream. Everyone else has done their part."
Okolie: “I've just come off a successful defence where I won all 12 rounds against an unknown but tough competitor, a national champion in his homeland.
"Now weeks later I am going in against a known tough boxer, a top 10 ranked boxer, former European champion and current Commonwealth champion Chris Billam-Smith.
"Not many fighters make back to back defences in such a short space of time. Not many pick the hardest fights available to them, but that's what I'm about.
"Chris, I love you, but I have to get the KO in this one."
Full Fight Card:
Lawrence Okolie vs Chris Billam-Smith, WBO world cruiserweight title
Mikael Lawal vs Isaac Chamberlain, BBBofC British cruiserweight title
Lee Cutler vs Stanley Stannard, super welterweight
Mace Ruegg vs Dean Dodge, super featherweight
Lewis Edmondson vs Vladimir Belujskym, light heavyweight
Michael McKinson vs TBA, welterweight
Tommy Welch vs TBA, heavyweight
Sam Eggington vs Joe Pigford, super welterweight
Karriss Artingstall vs Jade Taylor, featherweight
Betfred Odds:
Okolie: 2/7
Billam-Smith: 16/5
Draw: 12/1
18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
