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 Lawrence Okolie vs Chris Billam-Smith.
- This fight will take place on Saturday, May 27.
- It will be held at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth.
- The card will begin at 7pm with the main event ringwalks scheduled to go ahead at 10pm.
Chris 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."
Lawrence 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."
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