The Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth hosts world title action this Saturday, as Chris Billam-Smith attempts to become world champion in his hometown, as he challenges Lawrence Okolie for the WBO cruiserweight title.
BOXXER promote Okolie vs Billam-Smith and Sky Sports televise live.
The main event fighters are no strangers to each other, having once been under the same trainer in Shane McGuigan.
Billam-Smith (17-1, 12 KOs) has remained with McGuigan, while Okolie (19-0, 14 KOs) is now under the tutelage of SugarHill Steward.
‘The Sauce’ won the vacant WBO belt in March 2021, when he knocked out Krzysztof Glowacki in six, and he has since defended three times.
The 30-year-old has been forced to go the distance in his last two outings, the last a points win against David Light in a scrappy affair in March.
Billam-Smith, 32, will present a real danger to Okolie, and he is in good recent form.
After an early career split decision loss to Richard Riakporhe, the Bournemouth man has won eight on the spin and picked up British, Commonwealth and European crowns along the way.
‘The Gentleman’ was last out in December 2022, securing a highlight-reel fifth round knockout of Armend Xhoxhaj.
Prediction: This one could well be another of Okolie’s scrappy showings, and I can see him largely smothering Billam-Smith’s best work to take a points win.
Eggington faces Pigford
In a contest that doesn’t look like it’ll go the distance, I tentatively lean towards Sam Eggington (33-8, 19 KOs) to get the better of Joe Pigford (20-0, 19 KOs) in their super welterweight meeting.
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Remaining Undercard
2020 Olympic bronze medalist, Karriss Artingstall (3-0) should take her featherweight clash against Jade Taylor (5-0) on the scorecards.
Michael McKinson (24-1, 3 KOs) has seen his career stall somewhat since losing in nine to Vergil Ortiz Jr last year, and he has a six round outing here at welterweight, where he should outpoint Lebin Morales (19-6-1, 9 KOs).
Lee Cutler (12-1, 7 KOs) takes on Stanley Stannard (10-0, 4 KOs) in a ten round eliminator for the English super welterweight title, and it’s one he can take on points.
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In other six round attractions, heavyweight Tommy Welch (10-0, 6 KOs) can halt Amine Boucetta (7-6), and at super featherweight, Mace Ruegg (8-0) can bank a points win against Dean Dodge (9-3-1, 3 KOs).
Light heavyweight prospect, Lewis Edmondson (6-0, 3 KOs) can outscore Peter Nosic (8-1, 4 KOs), and Iranian featherweight, Alireza Ghadiri (7-0, 1 KO) should win on points against Brazil’s Jonatas Rodrigo Gomes de Oliveira (4-3, 4 KOs).
