Chris Billam-Smith dropped former stablemate Lawrence Okolie three times to snatch the world title from his rival in a scrappy encounter.
Okolie travelled to the south coast to defend his WBO belt against former stablemate Chris Billam-Smith at the Vitality Stadium home of Premier League outfit AFC Bournemouth. The home favourite Billam-Smith was hoping to capitalise on his long-awaited title shot to become world champion at the first time of asking, while Okolie was looking to make a statement to set up a potential clash with Richard Riakporhe.
And it was Billam-Smith who was handed the win on the judges scorecards with the contest scored at 112-112, 116-107, 115-108. The Bournemouth native earned his world crown having dropped his rival three times, alongside two poin deductions for his long-term friend who was fortunate not to receive more.
The fight began with Okolie looking to establish his jab in some scrappy early exchanges, and he landed the eye-catching punch of the round with a right hand appearing to wobble the home favourite early on. Both fighter struggled to keep their distance in the second with 'The Sauce' appearing to land the neater work with Billam-Smith struggling to apply the pressure.
And then all of a sudden in the third, the stadium erupted with Okolie dropped by a huge left hand. The onslaught continued with Billam-Smith being roared on by the crowd, as Okolie managed to beat the count and do everything he could to cling on until the end of the round.
Okolie managed to work his way back into the fight during the fifth but was deducted a point for persistent holding in a real turning point for the contest. A cut appeared above the left eye of the champion during a six and seventh stanza, where he also received another docked point in a disaster for 'The Sauce'.
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The fight continued in a scrappy pattern despite the champion having a better round eight as he finally attempted to step back and fight his opponent. Okolie went down for the second time in the tenth after falling to his opponent's feet with the referee deciding to count.
Okolie opened up a huge cut on the eye of his rival in the eleventh, but was dropped for a third time in the round who felt a short left hook in the clinch. Billam-Smith and Okolie made the final bell but it was the home favourite who was crowned world champion having dropped his opponent three times alongside two point deductions.
Billam-Smith's win has now set up a clash with 'The Midnight Train' who watched on from ringside as he looks to secure his own title shot this year. Riakporhe previously rejected an offer from Billam-Smith to take part on this event, but will now be thrust into a meeting against the eventual winner which could take place in the final quarter of the year.
