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Lawrence Okolie didn’t see my best side

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Okolie and Billam-Smith previously shared the same gym Photo Credit: @chrisbillam Instagram

Chris Billam-Smith says he wants to stop Lawrence Okolie in their cruiserweight world title fight on Saturday Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
Chris Billam-Smith says he wants to stop Lawrence Okolie in their cruiserweight world title fight on Saturday Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER

Chris Billam-Smith has warned Lawrence Okolie that despite several previous sparring sessions ahead of Saturday’s clash, he has yet to see the best in himself.

Billam-Smith challenges Okoli for the WBO cruiserweight title at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium in front of an expected 15,000 fans, live on Sky Sports.

The couple used the same gym under the supervision of a trainer Shane McGuiganbefore Okolie left earlier this year to reunite with the SugarHill steward, who will be in his corner on Saturday.

“The Gentleman” believes that his former stablemate turned rival has already shown his best form and insists that he will be in for a surprise when they meet.

“I think we saw the best Lawrence Okolie,” Billam-Smith said proboxing-fans.com.

“I expect him to be much better than he was in his last fight.

“I think I sparred with the best Lawrence Okolie there ever was.

“There will be some things he will do differently. As we have already seen, he made several changes under Sugar.

“But he didn’t see my best side and I think that’s the element of surprise that will hit him on fight night.

– By then it will be too tardy.

Okolie and Billam-Smith previously used the same gym.  Photo: @chrisbillam on Instagram
Okolie and Billam-Smith previously used the same gym. Photo: @chrisbillam on Instagram

The 32-year-old Bournemouth fighter has won eight straight matches since a split decision defeat to Richard Riakporhe, with his last victory being a brutal fifth-round knockout of Armend Xhoxhaja in December.

Okolie successfully defended his WBO crown for the third time, defeating David Lightweight via unanimous decision in March, extending his undefeated record to 19 straight professional victories.

Billam-Smith admits his aim is to win a maiden world title by stoppage.

“I absolutely[thinkIcanstophim”]added[IthinkIcanstophim”headded[myślężemogęgozatrzymać”–dodał[IthinkIcanstophim”headded

Okolie defended his WBO crown three times.  Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom BoxingOkolie defended his WBO crown three times.  Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Okolie defended his WBO crown three times. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

“That’s the game plan. I never want to leave anything to chance in the cards.

“I did it once and it didn’t work out in my favor.

“So the game plan is to always get through it, no rounds, just graft each round until the end.”

Watch the full interview with Chris Billam-Smith below:

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Interviews

The date of Daniel Dubois’s rematch with Anthony Joshua has been revealed

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Dubois looked better than ever against Joshua (Photo Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing)

Dubois has a limited time frame if he wants a rematch with Joshua (Image credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing)
Dubois has a confined time frame if he wants a rematch with Joshua (Image credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing)

Although the rematch between Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua has not been officially announced yet, it seems more likely that it will happen.

Dubois defeated Joshua in five rounds last month at Wembley Stadium, making the first defense of his IBF World Heavyweight Championship in style.

AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn he insisted that his protégé wanted to take another bite at the cherry, even though some observers urged him to go in a different direction – or even put his professional career on hold.

If another fight for the world title with “Dynamite” is to be the next event for the Watford fighter, according to IBF regulations it will have to take place by April 22.

Rule 5.A.2 of the IBF regulations for the heavyweight division states that “all optional defenses and all other fights by the champion must be completed at least 60 days prior to the date of the champion’s mandatory fight.”

Joshua suffered a brutal knockout at the hands of Dubois (Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing)
Joshua suffered a brutal knockout at the hands of Dubois (Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing)

Dubois will be informed of his mandatory appearance for June 21 in the spring and will likely be the winner of the recently ordered final eliminator between Agit Kabayel and Martin Bakole.

While there has been early speculation that Joshua might opt ​​out of another domestic spat with the 27-year-old and perhaps focus on fighting the likes of Deontay Wilder and Dillian Whyte, that now seems unlikely.

Matchroom boss Hearn also claimed that Saudi boxing boss Turki Alalshikh is interested in a second fight with Dubois.

“We are struggling with the season in Riyad. One of our options is to fight Daniel Dubois again and we have a contract with them.

“His Excellency [Turki Alalshikh] he will deal with Frank and Daniel and lead to this fight. The terms will have to be agreed with them.

“We have already agreed our terms, we have the option of a rematch with Dubois.

“Our meetings with His Excellency, he wants a rematch. AJ will always want a rematch.

“Daniel also wants a rematch.

Dubois also expressed interest in fighting the winner of Fury Usyk 2 (Image source: Matchroom Boxing)
Dubois also expressed interest in fighting the winner of Fury Usyk 2 (Image source: Matchroom Boxing)

“This is the most essential fight for him and they will definitely enjoy it.”

Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren revealed yesterday that there are other options for his fighter, but it’s conceivable that a rematch with “AJ” is by far the most lucrative.

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Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol

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Beterbiev celebrates after beating Bivol to become undisputed champion Photo Credit: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions

On Saturday in Riyad, Artur Beterbiev defeated Dmitry Bivol and became the undisputed light heavyweight champion. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
On Saturday in Riyad, Artur Beterbiev defeated Dmitry Bivol and became the undisputed lithe heavyweight champion. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Artur Beterbiev became the undisputed lithe heavyweight champion, adding the WBA and IBO belts to his collection after a thrilling majority decision victory over Dmitry Bivol in Saudi Arabia.

Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KO) entered this fight on the back of 20 straight wins, winning a slew of world titles along the way, with the last one coming in January, beating Callum Smith in seven to Bivola (23-23-KO). 1, 12 KO) in his last fight in June, he stopped Malik Zanid in six rounds.

Bivol landed some decent counters and combinations in the first round, and after a serene second, the Russian was successful again, scoring more combinations in the third round.

However, Beterbiev moved forward and the fourth one increased the pressure, but his rival remained behind a tight guard.

39-year-old he was busy, but many of his punches were landing on Bivol’s gloves, though the sheer amount of work he was doing was starting to get him a few rounds.

Beterbiev celebrates after defeating Bivol to become undisputed champion Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions
Beterbiev celebrates after defeating Bivol to become undisputed champion Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions

Beterbiev began to apply pressure in the seventh set, landing several solid punches, but the 33-year-old WBA champion responded matter-of-factly, wobbling the unified champion with his left hand.

Beterbiev was told in his corner that he needed a knockout in the championship rounds and he responded to that advice as he had a very robust penultimate frame, landing several shots that troubled the tiring Bivol, but both boxers made it to the final bell in an extremely absorbing contest.

The 114-114 draw was broken by scores of 116-112 and 115-113 in favor of Beterbiev, who received the nod and walked away with all the belts.

Wardley destroys Clarke in the rematch

The long-awaited rematch between Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke ended emphatically as Wardley defended his British heavyweight title in less than a round.

The pair played at the O2 Arena in March in a thriller that ended in a draw, but Wardley (18-0-1, 17 KO) let the judges off the hook this time, defeating Clarke (8-1-1, 6 KO) with a barrage of weighty punches. that put him on shaky ground and he finished in style.

The right-hand hammer struck the Burton man’s senses and the referee waved his hand to end the fight.

Opetaia sails from Massey

Jai Opetaia did almost everything he wanted in his fight against Jack Massey, defending his IBF cruiserweight title for the first time in his second term as champion after the Briton threw in the towel in the sixth round.

Opetiaia (26-0, 20 KO) was in dominant form and although Massey (22-3, 12 KO) put up a brave challenge, he never actually took part in the fight and after being broken by punches to the head and body after the sixth hour, coach 31 -year-old Joe Gallagher found it necessary to withdraw his charge from the battle.

Opetaia defended his IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight titles. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions
Opetaia defended his IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight titles. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions
Eubank Jr burns Szeremeta

Chris Eubank Jr won the vacant IBO middleweight title against Kamil Szeremeta, scoring four knockouts in a seventh-round victory.

Szeremeta (25-3-2, 8 KO) landed a right hand in the first round, and in the sixth round he knocked him out with the same shot.

Eubank Jr dropped Szeremeta four times. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions
Eubank Jr dropped Szeremeta four times. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions

In the seventh round, the Pole lost twice more, and the referee wisely ended the action.

Eubank Jr (34-3, 25 KO) faced Conor Benn after the fight, with both hoping to reschedule the fight after it was infamously postponed to fight week in October 2022.

The Whittaker-Cameron fight ended in a strange draw

There was a controversial and bizarre ending in the lithe heavyweight division as Ben Whittaker and Liam Cameron (23-6-1, 10 KO) there was a technical draw after five rounds.

In the fifth set, both started aggressively clinching on the ropes and both fell out of the ring on the top rope.

Whittaker (8-0-1, 5 KO) performed worse, injured his leg and was unable to continue competing, and the fight was deemed an accidental foul.

The score of 58-57 for each fighter was deemed redundant as the third judge scored it 58-58 after five completed rounds.

Nicolson defeats Chapman

Skye Nicolson successfully defended her WBC featherweight world title for the second time, winning half the distance and scoring points over Raven Chapman (9-1, 2 KO).

Nicolson (12-0, 1 KO) defended her belt by two points 98-92 and third by a score of 99-91 in the historic first women’s world title fight in Saudi Arabia.

Nicolson defended her WBC featherweight world title. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions
Nicolson defended her WBC featherweight world title. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions

Super featherweight debutant Mohammed Alakel (1-0, KO0) started a winning four-round fight against Jesus Gonzalez (3-3, KO0) by scoring points.

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Interviews

Carl Froch predicts that Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol

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Froch believes Bivol will emerge victorious Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Froch pulled out his crystal ball (photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxnig)
Froch pulled out his crystal ball (photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxnig)

Carl Froch has shared his predictions for this weekend’s undisputed lightweight heavyweight world title clash between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

Froch will be one of millions of viewers as Russian compatriots Beterbiev and Bivol finally settle the score and decide who is the best 175-pound fighter in the world.

The fight has been described by many as the best in the sport, and the boxing world is seemingly split down the middle.

And two days before the evening’s fight, “The Cobra” revealed that he supports WBA champion Bivol, who will emerge with all his might in Riyad.

In a recent message to Froch on the fightThe 47-year-old explained:

Froch believes Bivol will emerge victorious. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Froch believes Bivol will emerge victorious. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

“I think Bivol will do business.

“I just think that Father Time waits for no one and Beterbiev is approaching 40 years ancient.

“Bivol is 33 years ancient. I would expect 33-year-old Bivol to outwork and outlast 40-year-old Beterbiev.

“It will be a tough fight because Beterbiev will not stop trying. He will continue to come forward and throw massive bombs.

“But if I had to have a massive wedge in the bet, I would say that Bivol will beat Beterbiev on points, but there is always a chance that he will manage to win.

Beterbiev destroyed Callum Smith last time out. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Beterbiev destroyed Callum Smith last time out. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

“This is boxing and Beterbiev is a powerful puncher.

Beterbiev and Bivol were scheduled to fight in June, but the fight was postponed after the former suffered a torn meniscus and required surgery.

This is not the first injury suffered by “King Arthur” and some believe that he may play a key role in the clash with Kyrgyzstan Saturday night.

Bivol is the bookmakers’ slight favorite, but it would be foolish to write off Beterbiev, who has stopped all 20 of his opponents and is considered perhaps the most feared fighter in boxing.

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