Round-by-Round: Lawrence Okolie vs. Chris Billam-Smith | Sky Sports - 27 May 2023

[tony1234]

Who would pay to watch Okolie ? He's toxic for viewing and wouldn't sell out a phone box for a fight

[handsofstone]

Okolie's an enigma, excellent amateur, Olympian, won British, Commonwealth, European and World titles as a pro, beat some good fighters,, can bang has great physical attributes yet concentrates solely on spoiling and holding

I'm confident any other world level boxer with the physical dimensions of Lawrence Okolie beats Chris Billam-Smith but Okolie mentally can't help himself from holding and fouling, it's bizarre , what away to lose your title and unbeaten record and tbf he should've been DQ'd

[Delta Jay]

There were 5 fights in the crowd last night. Great idea to put saints, Pompey and cherries fans together

They were all probably better to watch as well

yes they were. card was pretty dire on the whole to watch. Cutler opponent didn't fancy/wasnt good. Artingstall is awful to watch. Pig ford was exposed. No words needed for the main event.

Ahhh unlucky mate. There’s plenty of good cards coming up. I don’t wanna be a knob but that’s what you get for buying an Okokie ticket. At least some of the other fights were good

[Grant]

didn't see it, but what happened with the 112-112 scorecard, seems well out of kilter. Anyone see it as a draw?


ref: Marcus McDonnell Diana Drews Milani 107-116 Benjamin Rodriguez 112-112 Bob Williams 108-115
WBO World Cruiser (supervisor: Istvan Kovacs)
Okolie down once in the 4th, 10th, and 11th rounds and deducted one point for holding in the 5th and 7th.
Billam-Smith cut over the left eye.

[gregregegg]

That cut looked super nasty but didn’t really bleed much. Amazing corner work? Or just lucky?

[TheLeprechaun]

Well I predicted CBS winning and I had a bet on him to do so. Okolie is just not a good fighter. Its very very basic stuff. Size and athleticism can only get you so far.

But my word Okolie is a horror to watch as always. Yet he was signed to be the face of sky boxing. We had the matty askin fight which i will tell my grandchildren was the sorriest 12 rounds i sat through and i think its fair to say Ben Shalom could be sold a turnip for a million quid and walk away thinking he's got a bargain.

[Ezzard]

If refs had been tougher on Okolie from the start of his career it would have been better for him and us.

I would bet on him to win the rematch.

CBS looked like the walking dead for 12 rounds. He just didn't fold mentally through frustration like most of Okolie's opponents.

[coneye]

Okolie , has been taught and encouraged to hold wrestle , maul , and spoil , its ingrained so much , that he cannot not do it , he gave away his title Smith did'nt earn it , 2 of them knockdowns were clearly not knockdowns , just Okolie off balance trying to maul and grab and fell over his own feet .. The point deductions were fair and justly deserved , however it was'nt good boxing on Smiths part , just stupidity on Okolies .

Smith did'nt do a lot of work just handled the wrestling without getting too frustrated ,

My money is Smith does'nt hold that title for long theres a young fella called Optatai who may have his eyes on that belt ,

[mickey1975]

What are we thinking of Sugar?

[margaret thatcher]

f@cking love the stuff, if you catch me doing a line of white stuff you cant bet your arse that's what it is

[mickey1975]

f@cking love the stuff, if you catch me doing a line of white stuff you cant bet your arse that's what it is

I meant Sugar Hill, he's Okolie's trainer, mate. I don't know what a line of sugar is. I use a spoon.

[cormack]

What are we thinking of Sugar?

payday between other fights .
Dont see it working longer term .

[high tower 1]

Why did he drop Shane as a trainer ?

[mickey1975]

Why did he drop Shane as a trainer ?

Because Shane wouldn't travel to him.

[high tower 1]

Are they not both based in east London ?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Why did he drop Shane as a trainer ?

Because Shane wouldn't travel to him.

Yeh: when he wanted to be based out in Dubai I believe.

[high tower 1]

Is AJ an advisor for okolie and buatsi ? It may explain their deluded sense of self worth.

[mickey1975]

Is AJ an advisor for okolie and buatsi ? It may explain their deluded sense of self worth.

He sacked 258, along with Matchroom and Shane.

[Controversial]

Is AJ an advisor for okolie and buatsi ? It may explain their deluded sense of self worth.

He sacked 258, along with Matchroom and Shane.

So who manages/advises him now?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Is AJ an advisor for okolie and buatsi ? It may explain their deluded sense of self worth.

He sacked 258, along with Matchroom and Shane.

So who manages/advises him now?

It’s not that new guy on the block is it?

[joshj909]

He sacked 258, along with Matchroom and Shane.

So who manages/advises him now?

It’s not that new guy on the block is it?

I think it's the match fixing guy from cricket, Mazhar Majeed (Plus Haye).

[forcefraser]

Poor old Pigford took a shellacking. Levels evident.

Sam is no world beater, but he's fought at a much higher level and it was evident.

People complaining about the stoppage but it wasn't that bad. Maybe a punch too late but not horrendous

[My T Sharp]

Is AJ an advisor for okolie and buatsi ? It may explain their deluded sense of self worth.

He sacked 258, along with Matchroom and Shane.

So who manages/advises him now?

Amanda Holden

[TheLeprechaun]

Poor old Pigford took a shellacking. Levels evident.

Sam is no world beater, but he's fought at a much higher level and it was evident.

People complaining about the stoppage but it wasn't that bad. Maybe a punch too late but not horrendous

Pigford was getting his head bounced from side to side with his eyes appearing to have rolled into the back of his head. I see no issue with that stoppage. The tighter punches from Sam really made the difference and also the left hook was there if he set it up and threw a 1-2-3 while just hesisitating with the left hook before throwing it. Poor Pigford didn't really adjust to that and I could see Sam realised the left hook was the punch although he did shake him up with right hands. Pigford looked like he lacked belief in himself from the get go. I felt sorry for the chap.

[MightyWarrior]

Again, the referee was clearly too late stopping the pigford fight, this time the fighter was ok ( seemingly ) but his head was flopping around and blundering Bob left it two or three punches too late, he could’ve easily jumped in there earlier. I’ve seen him do that before, it’s got to be down to the fact he’s just not very bright, like that other loose canon ref IJL: slow on the uptake when everyone else can see a fighter is done for the night. He got away with it this time, but the board should be looking at him closely, cause they’re clearly grooming him as a main stay on the uk scene