World champion Lawrence Okolie will face Chris Billam-Smith on Could 27 at Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, reside on sky sports activities.
Okolie is the WBO heavyweight champion and can step into enemy territory to place his world title on the road within the hometown of former sparring accomplice Billam-Smith.
The pair skilled collectively at Shane McGuigan’s fitness center, and Okolie now works beneath new coach SugarHill Steward, making a struggle with the much-loved Billam-Smith doable.
Billam-Smith beforehand confirmed he would struggle at Vitality Stadium on the finish of Could and has now vowed to change into world champion on dwelling soil.
“To struggle somebody I do know very properly for a world title is a really thrilling alternative,” he stated. “I am delighted to be preventing on the dwelling of my beloved AFC Bournemouth in entrance of my phenomenal followers. On Could 27, I’ll reward them with a world title.”
Okolie final defended his title when he outplayed obligatory challenger David Mild in Manchester final month. With little time to get better, he’ll have to go straight again to coaching camp, however it’s a problem the heavyweight champion has welcomed.
“I am pumped, I am able to go,” he stated. “I simply got here off a profitable protection the place I received all 12 rounds in opposition to an unknown however robust competitor, a nationwide champion in his dwelling nation.
“Now, weeks later, I’ll face a recognized robust boxer, a top-10 ranked boxer, former European champion and present Commonwealth champion Chris Billam-Smith.
“Not many fighters make back-to-back defenses in such a short while. Not many individuals choose the hardest fights obtainable to them, however that is what I imply.
“Chris, I really like you, however I gotta get the knockout on this one.”
Billam-Smith shortly earned a status as one in every of Britain’s most enjoyable fighters. He received British, Commonwealth and European heavyweight titles. With a passionate Bournemouth crowd roaring at him, in 2022 he beat Isaac Chamberlain in a Battle of the Yr contender and leveled Armend Xhoxhaj to document a dramatic knockout win.
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Check out a few of Lawrence Okolie’s finest knockouts
It ready him for a world title problem and when Okolie, barely taking time to get better from his final struggle, got here up with the supply of a “dream night time” in his hometown of Billam- Smith didn’t hesitate.
“Let’s do it,” Billam-Smith stated as quickly as he noticed the Okolie legend.
Okolie is a giant cruiserweight, heavy puncher with lengthy attain. In his final struggle in opposition to Mild, he confirmed how robust he could be to beat at any cruiserweight.
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Highlights of the principle struggle between Chris Billam-Smith and Armend Xhoxhaj on the Bournemouth Worldwide Middle
However Billam-Smith has demonstrated over the course of his profession simply how efficient he could be when attacking opponents inside and, in Coach McGuigan, has arguably probably the most certified man to design in his nook. a plan to defeat Okolie.
The Could 27 undercard may also see Chamberlain problem undefeated Mikael Lawal for the British cruiserweight title.
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