Tag: Chris Billam-Smith

Boxing

Joshua Buatsi vs. Dan Azeez presser: Both pledge to bring war on October 21 in WBA light-heavyweight world title eliminator

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British and European light-heavyweight champion Dan Azeez has the momentum, having boxed three times in three different countries over the past nine months. Joshua Buatsi may have won the domestic strap four years ago, but the Olympic bronze medallist still hasn’t yet reached the world championship heights many tipped for him given such amateur pedigree. Now, one Londoner’s unbeaten streak will end on October 21. Who has the nerve? Continue reading “Joshua Buatsi vs. Dan Azeez presser: Both pledge to bring war on October 21 in WBA light-heavyweight world title eliminator” →

Boxing

Mateusz Masternak frontrunner for Billam-Smith’s first world title defence, October mooted

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Chris Billam-Smith carries their belt following victory in the WBO World Cruiserweight championship fight against Lawrence Okolie at Vitality Stadium...

A deep cut above his left eye means he won’t be back sparring again until August, but it appears newly-crowned WBO world cruiserweight titlist Chris Billam-Smith will have a voluntary title defense on home soil later this year. Continue reading “Mateusz Masternak frontrunner for Billam-Smith’s first world title defence, October mooted” →

Boxing

Billam-Smith beats Okolie via MD12, is new WBO world cruiserweight champion

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It was a slow start, very messy for sustained periods and physically gruelling as expected. Yet that all paled into insignificance for Chris Billam-Smith, who scored three knockdowns en route to a stunning world championship win over twelve rounds against now-former titlist Lawrence Okolie – his former stablemate – as 15,000 cheered their local hero on at the Vitality Stadium.
Continue reading “Billam-Smith beats Okolie via MD12, is new WBO world cruiserweight champion” →

Specials

Chris Billam-Smith interview: Riakporhe, visualisation, retirement plans and more before tonight’s world title fight

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So, we’re here now. The wait is over, a jam-packed Saturday schedule with three UK boxing shows featuring world title fights, but only one in a stadium. Chris Billam-Smith on home soil at Bournemouth’s Vitality in-front of 15,000, looking to dethrone unbeaten WBO cruiserweight champion and former stablemate Lawrence Okolie, achieving a dream many wouldn’t have thought possible.
Continue reading “Chris Billam-Smith interview: Riakporhe, visualisation, retirement plans and more before tonight’s world title fight” →

Specials

WATCH: Chris Billam-Smith, Adam Azim and Caroline Dubois in media workout before upcoming fights

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Chris Billam-Smith gets what he always envisioned: a world title shot on home soil at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium later this month. Adam Azim headlines a York Hall bill in mid-June, while women’s lightweight prospect Caroline Dubois faces the biggest test of her career on the same card vs. former title challenger Yanina del Carmen Lescano. Click for more, to watch their individual videos… Continue reading “WATCH: Chris Billam-Smith, Adam Azim and Caroline Dubois in media workout before upcoming fights” →

Boxing

Buatsi measured in wide UD win vs. Stepien, but leaves you wanting more

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Light-heavyweight world contender Joshua Buatsi ended a 50-week layoff as he cruised to a decision victory over ten rounds against Poland’s Pawel Stepien, ending the 32-year-old’s unbeaten streak in Birmingham overnight. Given the fanfare surrounding his exclusive BOXXER deal, many were left short-changed.
Continue reading “Buatsi measured in wide UD win vs. Stepien, but leaves you wanting more” →

Specials

Exclusive: Chris Billam-Smith interview – A month away from his first world title shot

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Lawrence Okolie and Chris Billam-Smith during a press conference at the Landmark Hotel, London. Lawrence Okolie will aim for a fourth successful...

Bournemouth have won three straight away games to boost their chances of Premier League survival, and in a month’s time today their fans hope one of their own can make it a summer to savour when Chris Billam-Smith challenges for his first world title at the Vitality Stadium. I spoke to him about that, and much more, as WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie awaits him next. Continue reading “Exclusive: Chris Billam-Smith interview – A month away from his first world title shot” →

Analysis, feature pieces

Lawrence Okolie vs. Chris Billam-Smith: World champion enters the lion’s den – against a friend – on May 27

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10 days after he shook off the cobwebs in a drab-but-dominant world title defence against mandatory challenger David Light, WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie was surveying the scene in a Marylebone hotel. Why? A quick turnaround awaits in a tough ask on enemy soil down the south Coast, against friend Chris Billam-Smith and former trainer Shane McGuigan.
Continue reading “Lawrence Okolie vs. Chris Billam-Smith: World champion enters the lion’s den – against a friend – on May 27” →

Boxing

Okolie defends WBO cruiserweight title with comfy but drab decision win vs. Light

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Lawrence Okolie punches David Light during their 12x3 WBO World Cruiserweight Title fight at AO Arena on March 25, 2023 in Manchester, England.

He threatened a furious finish in rounds ten and eleven but David Light’s durability saw him survive, as WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie shook off ring rust and made the third defence of his title during a solid debut under new trainer SugarHill Steward in BOXXER’s Manchester main event.
Continue reading “Okolie defends WBO cruiserweight title with comfy but drab decision win vs. Light” →

Boxing

Ben Shalom, Richard Riakporhe, Frazer Clarke and more: BOXXER comments, ahead of a busy 2023

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Richard Riakporhe celebrates with Ben Shalom, BOXXER CEO after victory in the Cruiserweight fight between Richard Riakporhe and Fabio Turchi as part...

After BOXXER’s final show of the year in Bournemouth at the weekend, I spoke to a number of people about what awaits them in 2023 – including their promoter Ben Shalom, world title hopeful Richard Riakporhe and Olympic bronze medallist Frazer Clarke. Read on for more. Continue reading “Ben Shalom, Richard Riakporhe, Frazer Clarke and more: BOXXER comments, ahead of a busy 2023” →

Boxing

BOXXER Bournemouth: Billam-Smith weathers Xhoxhaj storm in style, Azeez overwhelms Fielding

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BEN SHALOM’S BOXXER FIGHT NIGHT 17/12/22 BOURNEMOUTH INTERNATIONAL CENTRE PIC LAWRENCE LUSTIG/BOXXER CRUISERWEIGHT CONTEST CHRIS BILLAM-SMITH v ARMEND XHOXHAJ

Chris Billam-Smith weathered an early storm, taking Armend Xhoxhaj’s best punches before ultimately landing a devastating KO punch at the end of an eight-shot combo to finish 2022 with aplomb – remaining on course for a cruiserweight world title shot in the new year. Prior, there were contrasting stoppage victories for Dan Azeez and Caroline Dubois among others. Continue reading “BOXXER Bournemouth: Billam-Smith weathers Xhoxhaj storm in style, Azeez overwhelms Fielding” →

Boxing

BOXXER Bournemouth preview: Big stakes await Billam-Smith, Azeez-Fielding and more to finish 2022

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Local 'hero" Boxer Chris Billam-Smith, Commonwealth Cruiserweight holder with his belts before the Sky Bet Championship match between AFC Bournemouth...

With a potential cruiserweight world title shot against IBF titlist Jai Opetaia in the offing for 2023, Chris Billam-Smith can’t afford to overlook tough opposition when welcoming Kosovo’s Armend Xhoxhaj to Bournemouth tonight. Elsewhere at 175lbs, Dan Azeez dares to be great as he entertains world-level opposition in Rocky Fielding and more besides happens in 2022. Continue reading “BOXXER Bournemouth preview: Big stakes await Billam-Smith, Azeez-Fielding and more to finish 2022” →