Photos: Lawrence Okolie, Chris Billam-Smith - Face To Face at Final Presser

On Saturday, May 27, cruiserweight rivals Lawrence ‘The Sauce’ Okolie (19-0, 14 KO’s) and Chris ‘The Gentleman’ Billam-Smith (17-1, 12 KO’s) will square off in a world championship title clash, live and exclusively in the UK & Republic of Ireland on Sky Sports. (photos by Lawrence Lustig)

The biggest boxing event ever to take place on the south coast will be staged in Bournemouth’s biggest venue: the Vitality Stadium, home to Billam-Smith’s beloved Premier League football team, AFC Bournemouth.

Londoner Okolie has held the WBO World Cruiserweight Championship since his March 2021 stoppage win over Krzysztof Glowacki. Since then he has made three successful defences - most recently handing New Zealand champion David Light the first loss of his professional career in last month’s Manchester encounter.