LAWRENCE OKOLIE will return to the ring and defend his WBO cruiserweight title against Chris Billam-Smith later this month.
‘The Sauce’ retained his title back in March, overcoming David Light at the Manchester Arena.
Lawrence Okolie defeats David Light by unanimous desion
Okolie was victorious by unanimous decision against the New Zealand 31-year-old.
The judges scored the fight 116-112, 119-108 and 117-110.
Okolie is unbeaten in all of his 19 professional bouts, winning 14 by way of KO.
The title challenger, Chris Billam-Smith goes into the fight on the back of a knockout win against Armend Xhoxhaj.
‘The Gentleman’ has won 17 of his 18 fights with his only loss coming in 2019 to Richard Riakporhe.
Chris Billam-Smith was formally one of Lawrence Okolie’s key sparring partners when they two trained together at Shane McGuigan’s gym.
The Sauce now has the same coach as Tyson Fury, SugarHill Steward.
When is Lawrence Okolie vs Chris Billam-Smith?
- Lawrence Okolie vs Chris Billam-Smith will take place on Saturday, May 27th.
- The card is expected to get underway from 7pm.
- The ringwalks for the main event are scheduled for 10pm.
- The Vitality Stadium will play host.
What channel is Lawrence Okolie vs Chris Billam-Smith on and can it be live streamed?
- Lawrence Okolie vs Chris Billam-Smith will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Boxing.
- Sky Sports customers can live stream all of the action via the NOW app.
- If you are not a Sky Sports customer, you can purchase a NOW Sports Membership for £34.99, which will give you access to all 11 Sky Sports channels and can be cancelled at any time.
Who is on the undercard?
Here are all the confirmed fights on the card so far:
- Okolie vs Billam-Smith for the WBO Cruiserweight title
- Mikael Lawal vs Isaac Chamberlain
- Lee Cutler vs Stanley Stannard
- Mace Ruegg vs Dean Dodge
- Lewis Edmondson vs Vladimir Belujsky
- Michael McKinson vs TBA
- Tommy Welch vs TBA
- Sam Eggington vs Joe Pigford
- Karriss Artingstall vs Jade Taylor
What has been said?
Speaking to Sky Sports Okolie said: “I know that they’re going to come. Their whole game plan is going to be around getting on my chest and screaming for points, all this stuff.
“So I’m very much aware of the psyche that they’re into, which is: ‘We can’t beat Lawrence in a fight. We can’t. We can try and get a lucky punch but maybe we can make it a maul and get the crowd behind and throw him off.’
“But I’ve never been that way inclined. I’m very focused, razor sharp, so I’m looking forward to showing it.”
The challenger Chris Billam-Smith said: “I like Lawrence, he’s a funny guy but he’s got something I want, it’s business.
“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.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How can my punching form be improved?
Boxing is all in the form of punching. You must develop good punch technique if you want to become a better boxer. These tips will help improve your punching skills.
- Keep your head up. Keep your head up when you’re throwing punches.
- Punch from the shoulder. You should aim your punch at the shoulder rather than the chin.
- Your feet are your focus. Try not to move your feet when you’re punching.
- Make quick, short punches. Your body will be tired faster if you are throwing longer punches.
- Don’t forget about defense! Always be ready to stop any incoming punches.
- Use your elbows. To defend yourself, your elbows are a good option.
- You can learn to use your legs. You can avoid being knocked to the ground if you learn how to properly use your legs.
- Every day, practice. Even though you may feel tired after training, keep going. To be a good coach, you need to practice.
- Have fun Have fun doing what you do.
- Remember to breathe. You will be stronger and have more energy if you breathe correctly.
- Relax. Don’t worry about making errors. Learn new things instead of worrying about making mistakes.
- Be patient. Boxing is not easy. It takes time and practice to improve your skills.
- Never stop learning. There is always room for improvement.
- Listen to music. Listening to music during training can help you to relax and stay focused.
- Watch videos of professional boxers. Watching them fight can inspire you to work harder.
- Read books. Reading helps you to understand boxing techniques.
- You need to take breaks. Sometimes, it is helpful to take a break from boxing. Play soccer or basketball outside.
- Find a coach. Coaching can make you more efficient at boxing.
- Push-ups: Push-ups can be a great way to increase strength and endurance.
What can I do to improve my fighting defense?
By learning to fight smart, you can improve the defense of your combative skills. You should be able defend against all attacks and also know how you can counterattack, if necessary.
You won’t be able to fight if you don’t know what fighting is. You’ll just get beaten up. But if you do know how to fight, you’ll be ready for whatever comes at you.
Here are some suggestions to help improve your defense.
- Know where your opponent’s attack is coming from. This means that you have to pay attention to your opponent’s body language. If he appears nervous, it could indicate that he is about to launch his next attack.
- Stay calm. Don’t panic. Instead, be calm and focussed.
- Block with your arms. You can defend yourself against attacks by blocking with your arms.
- Counterattack. You should immediately counterattack your opponent if they are attacking you.
- Fight dirty. Fighting dirty is another way of defending yourself. If your opponent kicks you in the face, you can counter by kicking him back.
How can a beginner learn to box at home?
Boxing has been around since ancient times. Boxing was initially developed by ancient warriors to defeat enemies. Boxing is still a popular sport all over the globe. You don’t need to go to the gym to box. A pair of gloves, punching bags and a few sparring buddies are all you need.
Local amateur boxing clubs are also available where you can train with professional coaches. Once you master basic punches & combinations, you will be ready for competition in tournaments.
Statistics
- It is just like normal sparring with a partner, but you want to throw punches at 75% of your normal speed. (wikihow.com)
- 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)
External Links
en.wikipedia.org
amazon.com
- Amazon.com: Ringside Diablo Wrestling Boxing Shoe – Clothing, Shoes & Jewellery
- Amazon.com : Sanabul Boxing Handwraps Elastic 180 inch Red : Sports & Outdoors
How To
How do I setup a Boxing Gym in My House
Anyone who wants to open a business is often asked how to set-up a boxing studio. Many people ask how much money they should spend on equipment, what kind of space is needed, how many employees do you think you need etc. 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 tips for setting up a boxing school in your home.
- You need a place where you can train. It could be a garage, basement or spare room. Even the living room will work. The only requirement is that there must be enough space to set up the equipment.
- A punching bag (or more) is essential. This is vital because you won’t have the ability to practice punches without it. It could be anything you like, from a simple plastic bag to a sturdy leather bag. It must be big enough for you to carry it comfortably. You should also ensure it is durable and strong so it can last many years.
- You will need a mat. Matting is used to protect floors and walls when practicing kicks. It is usually made of foam rubber. They can be purchased online as well as in offline shops.
- You will need a bench. Bench is used to support your body while doing pushups. You can buy them online or in-store. However, make sure that you choose the right size for you.
- You need a speedbag. Speedbags can be used to improve hand movement speed. They can be purchased online or in stores. It is important to ensure that you purchase a product of high quality and lasting value.
- Headgear is necessary. It protects your head when sparring. It can either be purchased online or in a physical store. It is important to choose the right size and protection for your face.
- Gloves are necessary. Gloves are needed to protect your hands during sparring sessions. They can be purchased either online or offline stores. Find the right pair for you.
- A mouthpiece is essential. Mouthpieces are used to protect your teeth during sparring sessions. These are available online and in offline shops. Choose the right pair for you.
- You will need a ring. Rings are used in real fight simulations. You can buy them online or offline. You should ensure that the padding is on both sides to prevent injuries during sparring sessions.
- You will need a towel. Towels are used to wipe sweat off after each workout session. They can be purchased at local sporting goods store or online stores. They should be soft and absorbent.
