Okolie vs Billam-Smith LIVE!
Chris Billam-Smith delivered on the biggest night of his career to become world champion in front of his home fans as he beat Lawrence Okolie on points in Bournemouth. The former gym-mates took to the ring in front of 15,000 fans at the Vitality Stadium, with Okolie agreeing to defend his WBO cruiserweight title in Billam-Smith’s hometown just 63 days after his last fight.
Okolie was dropped three times in the fight, the first coming from a clean left hook in the fifth round before two questionable knockdowns late in the bout, and he also had two pounds taken off for excessive holding. That left the previously unbeaten fighter far too much to do on the cards, as Billam-Smith got a majority decision after one judge, somehow, scored it 112-112 while the other two gave it to the home favourite 116-107 and 115-108.
“I was sick in bed all week,” Billam-Smith told Sky Sports. “I didn’t eat from Tuesday to Thursday. It was easy making weight! I had no energy, I managed to put a brave face on for the workout on Wednesday and the presser on Thursday.”
