CHRIS BILLAM-SMITH put Bournemouth on the boxing map with a world title win over old mate Lawrence Okolie.
CBS, 32, spent four years training alongside Hackney’s 30-year-old and shared over 300 sparring rounds with him.
Lawrence Okolie was floored three times by Chris Billam-Smith
Chris Billam-Smith won the world title in his hometown
So, in front of 15,000 fans at the Cherries’ Vitality stadium, he had the perfect gameplan to win the WBO cruiserweight crown with a majority decision.
After Okolie was dropped three times and docked two points, the judges scored it 112-112, 116-107 and 115-108.
The Gentleman missed son Stan’s first birthday on Friday to weigh-in under the 14st 4lbs limit and wanted to give his boy the best possible present, a world title belt.
Okolie insisted he was happy to play the bad guy and ruin the party and he was booed into the ring.
Okolie started the second more spitefully, with a couple of rifled right hands, but the bulk of the round was a hugfest, with ref Marcus McDonnell regularly pulling the giants apart.
Then Billam-Smith stunned the stadium with a left hook that dropped Okolie for the first time in his career and almost finished him.
The Sauce stumbled up to his feet and beat the count but then had to desperately cling on, making CBS trainer Shane McGuigan rage and leap up and down Left smashing the canvas.
Okolie’s gangly legs were still wobbly in the fifth and he rightly lost a point for even more holding. But CBS’s face was swelling up from regular thudding blows and the recurring head clashes.
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Boos and cries of “w*****” rang out in the sixth when Okolie was warned again for roughhousing and Billam-Smith seemed to hurt him again with a right hand.
Okolie lost another point in the seventh for his octopus-like holding, he was too busy clinging onto CBS to keep hold of his crown.
Okolie finally landed some decent shots in the eighth when CBS got careless and showed signs of fatigue.
CBS scored with a couple of clever left looks in round nine but Okolie remained dangerous, with one right hand slashing through the challenger’s guard.
The tenth was thrilling, Okolie was decked again and only just beat the count. But then he battered back with a right-hand-left-hook combination that almost KO’ed CBS.
Blood was seeping from Billam-Smith’s left eye by the eleventh and Okolie was warned again over head butting.
Then Okolie collapsed on the floor again through exhaustion or another short left hook and could not land a KO in the 12th.
The tearful new champ said: “My whole life has led to this, this is perfect.
“Lawrence was a great champion who never looked like getting beat. It was not a great looking fight but that doesn’t matter.
“I didn’t eat from Tuesday to Thursday to make the weight, I was sick in bed all week, i just had to make the weight.
“I dedicate this to my mum, I love you so much, thank you so much. I will never top this night, this is the greatest of my career.
“I thank the fans because they created this for me. I have become a world champion, in my home town.”
Chris Billam-Smith celebrates his world title win
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average time it takes to become a professional fighter?
Professional boxing requires dedication and years of hardwork. If you want to become a professional boxer, you’ll need to dedicate at least 10 hours per week to training.
How to defend yourself
Protect your head when you are being attacked. You want to avoid being punched. You need to be able to block an incoming punch in order to avoid getting punched. Here’s what to do:
- Square your shoulders and stand tall.
- Keep your elbows in line with your sides.
- Block the punch from coming with your forearm.
- Counterattack immediately.
- Continue blocking until your attacker runs off.
- Don’t let your defense slip.
What is the difference in a left and right hook?
A left hook is thrown at the side of the body and a right crossover is thrown at the front.
The opponent is facing the back of the left hook. The elbow is bent 90°. The wrist is turned 45° toward opponent.
A right cross can be thrown with the palm facing towards the opponent’s face, and the elbow straight. The opponent is 45 degrees from your wrist.
Do you have the ability to train yourself to box?
Yes, you can train yourself to box. Find a local boxing gym and sign up for a class. You will find most gyms offering free classes. However, if there isn’t one near you, you can always search Google for local boxes clubs.
You’ll also need some equipment like gloves, mouthpiece, headgear, and sparring partners. Once you have everything you need, you can practice your kicks and punches.
Statistics
- You want to be running at roughly 75-80% of your top speed..5 mile slow, easy recovery jog at the end.[6]X Research source 2Mix in long runs, shadow boxing, and short sprints on non-interval days. (wikihow.com)
- It is just like normal sparring with a partner, but you want to throw punches at 75% of your normal speed. (wikihow.com)
External Links
expertboxing.com
en.wikipedia.org
How To
How do I set up a boxing gym at my house?
Anyone who wants to open a business is often asked how to set-up a boxing studio. Many people want to know how much they should spend on equipment and what size space is required. How many employees are needed? There are many factors that can affect the cost of starting your business. Some of them include location, type of business, number of employees, marketing budget, competition etc. Most people don’t realize the importance to have good equipment. You cannot begin if you don’t own the right equipment. Here are some helpful tips if you want to open a boxing studio in your own home.
- You need to have somewhere you can train. Anyplace you can train is fine, whether it’s in your garage, basement, spare or living area. Only one requirement: There must be enough space for the equipment to be set up.
- A punching bag is essential. This is essential because it will make it easier to practice punches. You can use anything, from a plastic bag to a heavy-duty leather bag. You should ensure that the bag is large enough to accommodate you comfortably. It should be strong and durable to ensure that you can use it for many years.
- You will need a mat. When practicing kicks, mats are used to protect walls and floors. It is often made of foam rubber. These products can be ordered online or offline.
- A bench is a must. A bench is used to support your back while you do pushups. They can be ordered online or in local stores. But make sure to choose the right size.
- A speedbag is essential. Speedbags help you develop quick hand movements. They can be purchased from online or offline stores. Make sure that you buy a quality product which will last long.
- A headgear will be necessary. It protects your head when sparring. You can buy it from either online shops or offline stores. Make certain that you choose something that fits well and protects your face.
- Gloves will be necessary. Gloves are used to protect your hands during sparring sessions. These gloves are available online and in offline shops. Find the right pair for you.
- A mouthpiece is required. Mouthpieces are used for protecting your teeth during sparring sessions. These are available online and in offline shops. Choose the pair that suits you best.
- A ring is essential. Rings are used to simulate real fights. They can be purchased offline or online stores. Make sure that it has padding on both sides so that you aren’t injured during sparring sessions.
- Towels are essential. To wipe away sweat after each session, towels are necessary. These towels can be bought at your local sporting goods store, or online. Make certain that they are soft and absorbent.
