English boxer Chris Billam-Smith has won the WBO cruiserweight title after toppling the previously unbeaten Lawrence Okolie in Bournemouth on Sunday morning AEST.
The 32-year-old pulled off a huge upset at Vitality Stadium, clinching a majority decision triumph after knocking down Okolie three times throughout the 12-round bout.
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Okolie was warned of potential disqualification ahead of the ninth round after being deducted two points for consistent holding in Rounds 5 and 7.
Although Billam-Smith (18-1, 12 KOs) dominated the contest, one of the judges raised eyebrows by scoring the fight as 112-112, while the other two officials awarded him a comfortable 116-109 and 115-108 victory.
“I have no idea what’s just happened,” Billam-Smith said after the bout.
“My whole life has gone so quick and come to this moment, it’s just perfect. There’s nothing more.
“Against a great champion and a close friend in Lawrence, who has never looked close to getting beaten, he’s given me a very very hard 12 rounds. I believe I did enough to win it, I believe the scorecards show that.
“I was sick in bed all week, I didn‘t eat from Tuesday to Thursday, I managed to put on a brave face, I just want to dedicate this to my mum who has breast cancer at the minute. Mum, this is for you, I love you so much.
“That knockdown is exactly what I envisioned.
“I‘ve had a huge amount of support to get here. The McGuigans take me on on a whim and they’ve got me here.
“I have no words.
“I’ll never top this I don’t think.
“There were a lot of things I didn‘t thing I’d top, this was crazy.
“This was the greatest night of my career. Thank you everyone, you’ve helped me achieve my dream.”
Chris Billam-Smith’s trainer Shane McGuigan continued: “It’s unbelievable to get Chris a world title, he’s the nicest boxer I’ve ever met, he’s such a deserved champion.
“To see him go out there and fulfil his dream in his hometown against an old stablemate, it‘s amazing.”
Okolie had won 19 consecutive professional fights before Sunday’s defeat, bringing his career record to 19-1 and ending his three-year reign as WBO cruiserweight champion.
“I was in there, he was doing a lot of good stuff and got a good knockdown which changed the momentum,” Okolie said.
“I love being the winner and the champion, I have to take my hat off to him, he did very good work. We’re going to run it back.
“I trained really hard because I know what Chris is made of. Today is his night, I might be down but I‘m definitely not out.
“This was Chris at his very best, I can adapt to a loss, I’ll be back again.”
