Okolie vs Billam-Smith: Fight time, undercard, prediction, odds and extra
The two former sparring companions are the headline act on an evening that additionally sees Leigh Wood take on Mauricio Lara and Michael Conlan meet Luis Alberto Lopez.
Bournemouth’s hometown hero Billam-Smith had all the time been pencilled in for an enormous May fundamental occasion on the Vitality Stadium, residence of the Premier League Cherries, however a possible opponent remained a thriller earlier than it surprisingly emerged that Okolie was prepared to tackle the problem simply two months after his comeback win over David Light.
‘The Sauce’ has held the WBO title at 200lbs since 2021, but spent greater than a yr out of the ring following a mundane defence against Michal Cieslak final February after an unpleasant break up with promoters Matchroom Boxing and Eddie Hearn and a subsequent transfer to Ben Shalom’s Boxxer.
Unbeaten Okolie additionally linked up with a brand new coach in SugarHill Steward after ditching Shane McGuigan in a tumultuous interval, however one other low-key victory over a recreation challenger in New Zealander Light, who subsequently suffered a light stroke, has completed little to drive again any momentum.
The Londoner is aware of he wants a giant battle and an announcement efficiency to place himself again on the appropriate trajectory, and he will get that this weekend.
Former Commonwealth and European title-holder Billam-Smith is an thrilling, skilled and heavy-handed check for Okolie, seeking to realise his personal world title goals having received a trio of electrical bouts in opposition to Tommy McCarthy, Isaac Chamberlain and Armend Xhoxhaj in 2022, together with a highlight-reel knockout of the previous in entrance of a raucous residence crowd on the Bournemouth International Centre earlier than Christmas.
Okolie vs Billam-Smith date, begin time, venue and ring walks
Okolie vs Billam-Smith takes place right now on Saturday May 27, 2023 on the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, with the capability expanded on the evening from 12,000 to fifteen,000 seats.
The undercard is because of start at 7pm BST, with fundamental occasion ring walks anticipated at roughly 10pm. As ever, precise timings are topic to vary.
Title on the road: Lawrence Okolie defends his cruiserweight gold in opposition to Chris Billam-Smith
/ PAOkolie vs Billam-Smith battle card/undercard in full
Lawrence Okolie vs Chris Billam-Smith
Mikael Lawal vs Isaac Chamberlain
Sam Eggington vs Joe Pigford
Lee Cutler vs Stanley Stannard
Karriss Artingstall vs Jade Taylor
Tommy Welch vs Amine Boucetta
Michael McKinson vs Lebin Morales
Lewis Edmondson vs Vladimir Belujsky
Mace Ruegg vs Dean Dodge
How to look at Okolie vs Billam-Smith
TV channel: Okolie vs Billam-Smith is being broadcast dwell within the UK on Sky Sports, with protection starting on Sky Sports Action at 7pm and Sky Sports Main Event at 8pm.
Live stream: Subscribers may also watch dwell on-line by way of the Sky Go app.
Live protection: You can observe the entire card dwell on battle evening with Standard Sport’s devoted weblog.
Okolie vs Billam-Smith prediction
Okolie is the plain favorite to retain his WBO belt for the fourth time on Saturday, although he will certainly not be capable of coast to the end line in considerably boring trend as he has now in back-to-back wins over Cieslak and Light.
Naturally it should take some time for Okolie to indicate the advantages of his new partnership with Steward, however he wants to start out producing extra pleasure rapidly if he’s to grasp his grand plans for unifying the cruiserweight division and doubtlessly becoming a member of the heavyweight ranks.
Billam-Smith is assured of springing an upset in entrance of an adoring hometown crowd
/ PAIf the champion does present any indicators of slugishness this weekend, then Billam-Smith is definitely well-placed to take benefit. As a buddy and former sparring associate of Okolie’s, therefore the entire lack of any of the standard animosity or needle within the build-up to this battle, he possesses actual information of his weaknesses and the way greatest to use them.
The proven fact that Billam-Smith – whose solely skilled loss so far got here on factors in opposition to Richard Riakporhe in 2019 – remains to be educated by McGuigan provides one other intriguing sub-plot to the competition, with Shane having insisted that he is aware of precisely find out how to beat his former cost.
Ultimately Billam-Smith’s explosive nature means win or lose he received’t permit this to be a boring bout in entrance of an adoring residence crowd at a packed-out stadium, together with his aggressive method doubtlessly set to coax a fiery efficiency from Okolie in the end.
Billam-Smith has by no means beforehand been stopped, however that would properly change right here in a valiant effort as he goes for broke to try to spring an upset.
Okolie to win by late knockout.
Okolie vs Billam-Smith weigh-in outcomes
The weigh-in for Saturday evening’s card passed off in Bournemouth on Friday afternoon, with Okolie and Billam-Smith each coming in on weight at 199lbs. The cruiserweight restrict is 200lbs.
Okolie vs Billam-Smith betting odds
Okolie to win: 1/4
Billam-Smith to win: 11/4
Draw: 16/1
Okolie to win by KO or TKO: 10/11
Billam-Smith to win by KO or TKO: 8/1
Okolie to win by factors or choice: 5/2
Billam-Smith to win by factors or choice: 5/1
Odds by way of Betfair (topic to vary).