An all-British world title fight between former stablemates will headline the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth on Saturday night when Lawrence Okolie defends the WBO cruiserweight title against Chris Billam-Smith.
Okolie (19-0, 14 KOs) has made three successful defences since winning the vacant world title, courtesy of a sixth-round knockout of former champ Krzystof Glowacki in March 2021. The 6-5 Londoner has been largely dominant in turning back the challenges of Dilan Prasovic (KO 3), Michal Cieslak (UD 12) and David Light (UD 12).
Billam-Smith (17-1, 12 KOs) suffered a split-decision loss to the highly-touted Richard Riakporhe in July 2019 but has done everything else asked of him. The 32-year-old boxer-puncher has held British and European championships in the past and still holds the Commonwealth crown. Among Billam-Smith’s signature wins are Tommy McCarthy (SD 12, KO 8) and Isaac Chamberlain (UD 12).
Both men sparred innumerable rounds when they were trained by Shane McGuigan for several years. However, Okolie and McGuigan went through an amicable split recently, and the champion is now being trained by Tyson Fury’s coach, Sugar Hill Steward.
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Will corner strength make a difference, or is Okolie just too big and too experienced for the challenger?
The 30-year-old Okolie is essentially marking time at cruiserweight as he plots an incursion into heavyweight territory. In order to be taken seriously in the glamor division, the former Olympian must dispose of Billam-Smith in style.
The Sporting News will provide full results from Lawrence Okolie vs. Chris Billam-Smith below.
Lawrence Okolie vs. Chris Billam-Smith full card results
- Lawrence Okolie (c) vs. Chris Billam-Smith; for the WBO cruiserweight title
- Sam Eggington def. Joe Pigford via TKO 5 (2:59); Super welterweights
- Lee Cutler def. Stanley Stannard via UD 10 (97-95); Super welterweights
- Karris Artingstall def. Jade Taylor via UD 8 (79-72); Featherweights
- Mace Ruegg vs. Dean Dodge; Super featherweights
- Lewis Edmondson vs. Vladimir Belujsky; Light heavyweights
How to watch Lawrence Okolie vs. Chris Billam-Smith
|
Country |
Date |
TV channel |
Live stream |
|
United States |
Sat. May 27 |
– |
FITE |
|
United Kingdom |
Sat. May 27 |
Sky Sports Action |
Sky Go, NOW TV |
|
Australia |
Sun. May 28 |
– |
– |
The first fight is expected to be at around 2 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. BST | 4 a.m. AEST, with the main event scheduled for 6 p.m. ET | 11 p.m. BST | 8 a.m. AEST, depending on how long the undercard fights last.