WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence ‘The Sauce’ Okolie (19-0, 14 KOs) will defend against Chris ‘The Gentleman’ Billam-Smith (17-1, 12 KOs) on May 27 within the cozy confines of Vitality Stadium in Billam-Smith’s hometown of Bournemouth, England. The clash will top promoter BOXXER’s first ever stadium show.
Lawrence Okolie: “I’m pumped, I’m ready to go. I’ve just come off a successful defense where I won all 12 rounds against an unknown but tough competitor [David Light on March 25]…now weeks later I am going in against a known tough boxer…not many fighters make back-to-back defenses 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.”
Chris Billam-Smith: “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.”
I’d heard that they wouldn’t be fighting because they were such good friends and that Billiam-Smith would be pursuing a different shot because of all of those high rankings that he has. I got no problem with. Technically it’s a second straight mandatory for Okolie and hopefully the winner (Okolie) fights Riakporhe next.
They’ll look pretty friendly in the ring with all the hugging, maybe a little too friendly.
Well it is an Okolie fight. There’s going to be a lot of hugging regardless of who he’s fighting lol.
Gentlemen will get KO’ed