Lawrence Okolie vs Chris Billam-Smith LIVE: Start time, undercard, talkSPORT commentary and how to f

Lawrence Okolie will defend his WBO cruiserweight title against former training partner Chris Billam-Smith in Bournemouth this evening.

Okolie is unbeaten in his 19 professional bouts and is set to fight for the second time in nine weeks after a unanimous decision win against David Light.

The Sauce’s victory in March was his third defence of the title that he has held since beating Krzysztof Glowacki in 2021.

And he will be aiming to retain it against challenger Billam-Smith, who heads into the title bout following a knockout win against Armend Xhoxhaj.

The Gentleman has won all eight of his fights since his only career loss to Richard Riakporhe at the O2 Arena four years ago.

Okolie vs Billam-Smith: Date and start time

This fight will take place on Saturday, May 27.

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Our team on the night will be made up of presenters Adam Catterall and Gareth A Davies, commentator Alex Steedman, and former super-bantamweight champion Spencer Oliver.

Our coverage kicks off at 7pm over on talkSPORT 2, before switching over to talkSPORT at 9pm for the main event.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Okolie vs Billam-Smith: How to watch

The fight will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.

Fans can subscribe to Sky Sports to watch the main event and more details can be found here.

You can also sign up to NOW TV to access the live stream of the action.

A one-day membership is available for only £11.98 while a monthly membership will cost £21 per month.

Okolie vs Billam-Smith: Undercard

Subject to change

MAIN EVENT: Lawrence Okolie vs Chris Billam-Smith - WBO Cruiserweight title
Lee Cutler vs Stanley Stannard
Michael McKinson vs Lebin Morales
Tommy Welch vs Amine Boucetta
Mace Ruegg vs Dean Dodge
Lewis Edmondson vs Vladimir Belujsky
Alireza Ghadiri vs Jonatas Rodrigo Gomes de Oliveira
Sam Eggington vs Joe Pigford
Karriss Artingstall vs Jade Taylor
Mikael Lawal vs Isaac Chamberlain

Okolie vs Billam-Smith: What has been said?

Okolie and Billam-Smith are friends and former sparring partners but both fighters will be putting that aside.

Okolie said: "I love [Chris] as a person but I'm here to make a statement. It's almost unfortunate as I like Chris, but I have to do what I have to do."

And Billiam-Smith labelled the clash as ‘business’ saying: "No one has done as many rounds with Lawrence as I have.

"I like Lawrence, he's a funny guy but he's got something I want, it's business."

The challenger is a season ticket holder at Bournemouth and admitted he has dreamed of having the opportunity to fight at their stadium.

Billam-Smith said: "I dreamed of playing on the pitch one day, but my feet weren't quite as good as my hands. My dream now is win a world title at the stadium.

"I don't fear anyone, we've tried to fight every champion there is and Lawrence is one of them. I respect him but don't fear him."

Meanwhile, Billam-Smith's trainer Shane McGuigan believes his man his to win.

Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: "It's one that Chris has to win, he's won British, Commonwealth and Europeans titles, so he needs to capitalise and win this fight, I just feel like the stars are aligning.

"He's not the favourite and he's potentially not as talented, but we're quietly confident.

"I think it ends in a KO. Chris knows he's going to have to try and win the fight by knockout or with a knockdown.

"He can win it on points, but I think he'll have to get a couple of knockdowns to get a points win, because Lawrence is very effective with his size and everything else and he's the champion, but I do feel it will end in a knockout."

Okolie vs Billam-Smith: Betting with talkSPORT BET

To win fight:

Okolie - 1/4

Draw - 14/1

Billam-Smith - 3/1

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