BoxRec

Fair play Okolie. Straight back in there after a poor performance in his opponents back yard and against a trainer who will know all about him.

Press Release

A seismic showdown on the south coast seafront is set for Saturday, May 27, when cruiserweight rivals Lawrence ‘The Sauce’ Okolie (19-0, 14 KO’s) and Chris ‘The Gentleman’ Billam-Smith (17-1, 12 KO’s) will square off in a world championship title clash, live and exclusively in the UK & Republic of Ireland on Sky Sports.

The biggest boxing event ever to take place on the south coast will be staged in Bournemouth’s biggest venue: the Vitality Stadium, home to Billam-Smith’s beloved Premier League football team, AFC Bournemouth.

A press conference was staged at the historic Landmark Hotel in London on Tuesday, April 4 to formally announce the event, with both fighters then due to attend the Vitality Stadium later in the evening to stage their first face-off on the pitch at half time during AFC Bournemouth’s home clash against rivals Brighton.

Londoner Okolie has held the WBO World Cruiserweight Championship since his March 2021 stoppage win over Krzysztof Głowacki. Since then he has made three successful defences – most recently handing New Zealand champion David Light the first loss of his professional career in last month’s Manchester encounter.

During his reign, Okolie has watched as a band of bonafide cruiserweight contenders has emerged, all of whom are signed to the BOXXER stable and compete exclusively on Sky Sports: Bournemouth’s Billam-Smith and London’s Richard Riakporhe and Mikael Lawal are all homegrown talents who have their eyes on his crown.

Training under Shane McGuigan – several times ‘Boxing Trainer of the Year’ among numerous sports publications – Billam-Smith has climbed the ranks steadily, winning first the Commonwealth Cruiserweight Championship and then the European Cruiserweight Championship to build a solid platform for this world title shot.

And his army of fans now extends well outside of his beloved Bournemouth thanks to his all-action fighting style: his clash with Isaac Chamberlain in July last year was hailed as a ‘Fight of the Year’ contender at the British Boxing Board of Control Annual Awards and became an instant classic for fight fans across the country and around the world.

But Billam-Smith, who has fought in front of two sold-out crowds already in Bournemouth, will need more than sheer force to take the world title from Okolie, one of the most scientific boxers the cruiserweight division has ever seen. Okolie’s precise, measured fighting style and watertight defence has kept him undefeated – and the belt around his waist.

“I’m pumped, I’m ready to go. 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, the highly-ranked former European champion and current Commonwealth champion Chris Billam-Smith,” said Okolie.

“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.”

Billam-Smith commented, “Fighting someone I know well for a world title is a very exciting opportunity. I’m elated to be fighting at the home of my beloved AFC Bournemouth in front of my phenomenal fans and on May 27th I will repay them by winning a world title.”

BOXXER Founder and CEO Ben Shalom said, “I’m not exaggerating in the slightest when I say that this is going to be one of the best events of the year. If you were lucky enough to get a ticket for the previous Bournemouth events, you’ll know the fans and the atmosphere are off the charts.

“For Chris Billam-Smith this is a dream come true. To fight for the world title in his hometown, in his football team’s stadium, in front of a sold-out crowd cheering him on…it’s the stuff dreams are made of.

“But Lawrence Okolie is a fighting champion. He had no hesitation in taking the fight in Bournemouth. He’s ice cold. He is undefeated. And he’s certainly not bothered about the crowd being against him. In fact that just sweetens the deal for him.

“With a stacked card, this will be the event to kick-off an incredible summer for British boxing.”

Lawal (17-0, 11 KO’s) and Chamberlain (14-2, 8 KO’s) are also confirmed for the May 27th card, with British champion Lawal defending his title in what is sure to be a thrilling encounter.

Chamberlain’s previous ‘Fight of the Year’ visit to Bournemouth has endeared him to local fans and may make him an honorary local fighter for this title fight against the undefeated Lawal.

Pre-register for tickets now at BOXXER.com.

This event is presented in association with official partners Everlast, WOW HYDRATE and Village Hotels.

This will be a horror to watch I'm sure. Okolie with his usual octopus style and CBS is too rigid and stiff.

The upside to signing Okolie seems to be about him moving to heavyweight. You've got some big domestic clashes there which would make some decent money. They are probably going to have to move up after this fight because the fight is going to be so bad to watch.

Did he say anything about Riakporhe?

TheLeprechaun wrote: ↑04 Apr 2023, 07:40 This will be a horror to watch I'm sure. Okolie with his usual octopus style and CBS is too rigid and stiff.

The upside to signing Okolie seems to be about him moving to heavyweight. You've got some big domestic clashes there which would make some decent money. They are probably going to have to move up after this fight because the fight is going to be so bad to watch.

If he moved up as WBO titleholder at cruiser, he could enforce his position as WBO mandatory at heavy, much like Usyk did (I think?).

cpx2 wrote: ↑04 Apr 2023, 09:03

TheLeprechaun wrote: ↑04 Apr 2023, 07:40 This will be a horror to watch I'm sure. Okolie with his usual octopus style and CBS is too rigid and stiff.

The upside to signing Okolie seems to be about him moving to heavyweight. You've got some big domestic clashes there which would make some decent money. They are probably going to have to move up after this fight because the fight is going to be so bad to watch.

If he moved up as WBO titleholder at cruiser, he could enforce his position as WBO mandatory at heavy, much like Usyk did (I think?).

That's usually the case when you are considered the WBO 'Super' champion. Quite rare, mostly it's unified champions who get that status.

Loma was an exception because Arum promoted the guys above that he fought..

This one blindsided me I didn’t think Okolie would be back out that fast so fair play to him and fair play to both on taking the fight. Okolie can put in boring performances and have that Aussie slag him off but he can now turn around and ask if the Aussie ever fights?

Someone mentioned this likely being a boring one. Okolie fights tend to be but the one I was really worrying would be made was Riakkporh. That fight would have been horrendous as people forget that RR is a clinch merchant as well.

This fight perfectly illustrates the complete lack of interest in Okolie....he's totally reliant on Billham-Smith's popularity to figure in a fight where there's some interest....and all interest is in Billam-Smith

I've really enjoyed Billam-Smith's career....he understands how to interact with fans and the media, plus he also gets professional boxing is an entertainment business

Even if Okolie wins, I will still have zero interest in his career and will be more keen to see where Billam-Smith goes next

Hopefully CBS can avoid the lovin'arms of Okuddles.
I'm trying to be optimistic that it ain't gonna be a snoozer.

Let's give credit to the British cruiserweights for not ducking each other the way some duck domestic rivals.

Okolie, Billam-Smith, Chamberlain, Massey, Riakporhe--I think they have all had at least one fight against one of the other rivals. Some more than one.

Good to see.

tigermoth87 wrote: ↑05 Apr 2023, 22:19 Let's give credit to the British cruiserweights for not ducking each other the way some duck domestic rivals.

Okolie, Billam-Smith, Chamberlain, Massey, Riakporhe--I think they have all had at least one fight against one of the other rivals. Some more than one.

Good to see.

Yh unlike the British light heavyweights

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑05 Apr 2023, 23:40

tigermoth87 wrote: ↑05 Apr 2023, 22:19 Let's give credit to the British cruiserweights for not ducking each other the way some duck domestic rivals.

Okolie, Billam-Smith, Chamberlain, Massey, Riakporhe--I think they have all had at least one fight against one of the other rivals. Some more than one.

Good to see.

Yh unlike the British light heavyweights

Unlike the top British heavyweights too.
Fury,Joshua,Joyce, Chisora

If refs stuck to the rules okolie would be disqualified in many of his 'fights'. They allow him to hit and hold, sometimes just hold without hitting.

blanca wrote: ↑06 Apr 2023, 05:34 If refs stuck to the rules okolie would be disqualified in many of his 'fights'. They allow him to hit and hold, sometimes just hold without hitting.

I think Askin was probably the worst that I watched,.

There may have been worse.

The Chamberlaim fight was just plain boring

CBS is the better inside fighter here. All Okolie can really do there is tangle up his man. CBS will be forcing his way inside and it will be scrappy stuff. From range CBS is stiff enough to get cleaned out but I reckon he will make this his kind of fight and Okolie will lose this one for me.

TheLeprechaun wrote: ↑06 Apr 2023, 07:07 CBS is the better inside fighter here. All Okolie can really do there is tangle up his man. CBS will be forcing his way inside and it will be scrappy stuff. From range CBS is stiff enough to get cleaned out but I reckon he will make this his kind of fight and Okolie will lose this one for me.

I am inclined to agree .
Okolie is awful to watch with poor technique and CBS will know all of his moves anyway .
Dont think it will be pretty to watch !

Spot on Blanca !

I like watching CBS , he has an air or vulnerability about him and is entertaining, everything Okolie isn't .
Expect an Okolie point win but would love CBS to dethrone the most boring UK fighter .

I've got my tickets.

Shame it's the day before the final day of the football season. Bournemouth are away the next day to Everton. Hope that doesn't affect the atmosphere.

I've been at Billam-Smith's last two Sky fights and all his small hall early career fights in Bournemouth. He has progressed really well and he certainly has an entertaining style. He is the product of hard work and actually, very good coaching from Shane McGuigan.

Love the quick bounce back, but it’s gotta be tough on the body for okolie considering he cuts quite a bit of weight.

Sam Eggington vs Joe Pigford added to card

Press Release | Undercard Information

Extra tickets have been added for Lawrence Okolie’s (19-0, 14 KOs) WBO world cruiserweight title defence against hometown hero Chris Billam-Smith (17-1-0, 12 KOs) at AFC Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium on Saturday, May 27 due to high demand.

British fight fans have blitzed the pre-sale and general sale consignment, snapping up thousands of tickets and guaranteeing a sell-out for the all-British showdown.

The marquee main event sits atop an undercard with newly-announced bouts.

Sam Eggington (33-9, 19 KO’s) has built up a reputation as one of Britain’s most all-action fighters, with a no-nonsense fighting style which enthrals fans and produces highlight moment after highlight moment.

Standing opposite him on May 27th is power-puncher Joe Pigford (20-0, 19 KO’s). With 19 of his wins by KO or TKO, the Southampton slugger has a finish rate of 95% in his victories, a rate unmatched by any British boxer at his weight.

2020 Olympic gold medallist Karriss Artingstall (3-0) made her professional debut in June 2022 and returns to the ring on May 27 for what will be her fourth contest in her first year as a pro.

She faces the undefeated Jade ‘Blade’ Taylor (5-0), a Manchester stablemate of Michael Gomez Jr. Both Artingstall and Taylor going into their bout off the back of respective wins over Bolton veteran Linzi Buczynskyj in their last fights and both are looking for a statement win on the south coast.

And another domestic tussle has been added to what promises to be a blockbuster night of elite boxing on the South Coast as local lad Lee Cutler (12-1-0, 7 KOs) challenges Stanley Stannard (10-0, 4 KOs) in an English Super-Welterweight Championship Eliminator.

Cutler has fought in front of his home fans twice before with BOXXER, beating both Joel Julio and Meshack Mwankemwa on points over six rounds last year – but the Bournemouth boy will face a tough opponent in undefeated southpaw Stannard, who will be determined to cause a big upset.

An intense rivalry awaits in the form of the co-main event where Mikael Lawal (17-0, 11 KOs) defends his British Cruiserweight Championship against Isaac Chamberlain (14-2-0, 8 KOs).

Emerging heavyweight prospect Tommy Welch (10-0, 6 KOs) will also be in action on May 27.

Two young standouts from the south coast joining the card are Bournemouth’s own Mace Ruegg (8-0) against Dean Dodge (9-3-1, 3 KO’s) and Southampton’s Lewis Edmondson (6-0, 3 KOs) against Vladimir Belujski (13-6-1, 9 KO’s), both of whom will have a lot of support in the stadium on fight night as they look for showcase performances against their soon-to-be-announced opponents.

BOXXER CEO & Founder, Ben Shalom, said: “Chris Billam-Smith challenging Lawrence Okolie for the world title is the hottest ticket in town for this summer in Bournemouth and we’re expecting a complete sellout once again.

“The atmosphere at our Bournemouth events has been absolutely unbelievable and I think you’re going to see that taken to new heights at the Vitality Stadium in May.

"A special thanks goes to Joe Ashford-Ellis, Who Dares Gyms and AFC Bournemouth. I guarantee that this is going to be one of the best British boxing events of the year.”

Eggington vs pigford aka bacon and eggs, is a fornicating cracker fight. I like the idea of a gatekeeper type who’s lost a bunch but fought good level vs a can crusher that’s been doing good. Always hard to pick.