Tag: Lawrence Okolie

Boxing

CBS-Riakporhe 2: June 15 promises jeopardy and much-needed clarity, in rematch for WBO world cruiserweight title

Mosope

Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe face off following the Chris Billam-Smith vs Richard Riakporhe launch press conference ahead of their WBO...

A month shy of five full years since their first fight, a competitive clash over ten rounds on Dillian Whyte’s undercard, Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe headline their own show at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park stadium on June 15. Their paths have veered vastly differently since that night in south London, but now they do battle again – one a defending world champion with Stateside ambitions, the other expects to prove he’s been the better man all along.
Continue reading “CBS-Riakporhe 2: June 15 promises jeopardy and much-needed clarity, in rematch for WBO world cruiserweight title” →

Boxing

Billam-Smith bullish, unpicks Riakporhe’s big weakness before their title rematch

Mosope

Chris Billam-Smith looks on Media Workout at Camden Boxing Club on January 31, 2024 in London, England.

No date has yet been set for their heavily-anticipated rematch, but WBO cruiserweight world champion Chris Billam-Smith is confident he can avenge defeat against long-time contender and British rival Richard Riakporhe, who inflicted his only career defeat to date via split decision five years ago.
Continue reading “Billam-Smith bullish, unpicks Riakporhe’s big weakness before their title rematch” →

Boxing

Fight rewind: Masternak pushed Tony Bellew close for Euro title, in 2015 battle

Mosope

Mateusz Masternak of Poland forces Tony Bellew of Great Britain against the corner during the Vacant EBU Cruiserweight title at The O2 Arena on...

Having dethroned Lawrence Okolie on a magical night in Bournemouth seven months ago, WBO world cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith makes his first title defence against Mateusz Masternak this Sunday – most expect him to win comfortably. There’s a quiet air of confidence surrounding the Pole and his team before the 36-year-old’s first world title shot, with his showing against Tony Bellew on UK soil a theory behind that. So, what happened that night?
Continue reading “Fight rewind: Masternak pushed Tony Bellew close for Euro title, in 2015 battle” →

Boxing

Rewind: Jai Opetaia UD12 Maris Briedis last July, as IBF cruiserweight world champ faces Jordan Thompson this week

Mosope

Jai Opetaia during the IBF cruiserweight title fight between Jai Opetaia and Mairis Briedis at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on July...

IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia makes his UK debut this weekend and in the build-up, has publicly insisted he’s preparing for a war against European champion Jordan Thompson. Before their Wembley Arena clash on Saturday night, let’s rewind back to the Australian southpaw’s last outing – a career-best result – stunning Mairis Breidis and seizing a version of the world title at 200lbs. Continue reading “Rewind: Jai Opetaia UD12 Maris Briedis last July, as IBF cruiserweight world champ faces Jordan Thompson this week” →

Boxing

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

Mosope

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

Mosope

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

Mosope

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

Mosope

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” →

Boxing

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

Mosope

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

Mosope

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

Mosope

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

Mosope

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” →