Despite being the challenger for Okolie’s WBO cruiserweight belt, it was Billam-Smith who had the battle in his hometown in entrance of 15,000 followers on the Vitality Stadium and he gave the Bournemouth crowd the consequence they wished.
Okolie, beforehand unbeaten, was dropped thrice and had two factors deducted for holding, as Billam-Smith secured a majority choice after two judges scored it 116-107 and 115-108 in his favour and a 3rd bizarrely had it 112-112.
It was the proper night time for the house fighter, nevertheless it had been a less than excellent build-up to the bout towards his former gym-mate.
“I was sick in bed all week,” Billam-Smith instructed 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.”
Okolie confirmed after the fighter that he intends to activate the rematch clause, trying to win his world title again instantly and get avenge the only defeat on his skilled report.
Even if Billam-Smith wins that and goes on to attain additional success within the cruiserweight division, it's unlikely to rival this victory in entrance of a raucous Bournemouth crowd.
“I’ll never top this I don’t think,” Billam-Smith mentioned.
“There’s a lot of things I didn’t think I’d top, but this is crazy. I probably sound concussed because I have no words, but I’m not. I have no words to sum this up.
“This is the greatest night of my career, it probably always will be. I just won a world title, at Dean Court, in front of my hometown. That is the greatest thing I will ever say.”
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