Chris Billam-Smith says rematch with Lawrence Okolie is being held up because of “the way he (Okolie) fights”

CHRIS BILLAM-SMITH has given Boxing News one motive why a rematch with Lawrence Okolie is but to be signed off.

Back in May the 33-year-old despatched a partisan crowd on the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth into raptures when he defeated Lawrence Okolie to develop into the brand new WBO Cruiserweight champion.

Okolie walked into the house of AFC Bournemouth because the betting favorite and was anticipated by many to retain his title. However, the work-rate and hustle of Billam-Smith helped rip up the script and performed their half in securing a majority resolution over his former gym-mate.

That was not the complete story, although. Known for his ugly ways, Okolie was deducted some extent for holding in rounds 5 and 7 and likewise discovered himself on the ground within the fourth, tenth and eleventh classes. It was a messy affair, promoted by Boxxer and proven stay on Sky Sports, and one to neglect in a memorable 12 months for the game contained in the ring.

The former champion has since chosen to activate a rematch clause, however Billam-Smith says there could also be a problem at the moment stopping the battle from being introduced.

“I think he wants the fight,” he stated. “I think the issue may be with broadcasters because of the way he fights. It’s an entertainment business, an entertainment network, and [his] fights aren’t that entertaining. But contractually to Boxxer he’s contracted for the rematch, so we’ll see what happens.”

Billam-Smith desires to battle once more by the top of November and, whereas Okolie could be the front-runner, there is the Plan B choice of Polish veteran and former European champion Mateusz Masternak.

The cruiserweight division might be about to enter one other busy interval. Next week Jai Opetaia defends his IBF belt in opposition to British hope Jordan Thompson whereas Richard Riakporhe is rumoured to be the following defence for WBA titlist Arsen Goulamirian. Should Billam-Smith achieve success in November then 2024 might spell unifications for the Bournemouth supporter.

“The next fight is important because it’s an easy slip-up fight because it’s one after you’ve achieved it,” Billam-Smith stated. “But then after that I’m taking a look at unifying. The different champions on the market are actually good champions however all of them are beatable, and I imagine I’m one of the best out the lot.

“It’s about trying to manoeuvre my way into those fights. Obviously, there’s talk of Richard getting the Goulamirian fight so I’d love the winner of that, but I’d also love Richard to win that because that would be an amazing spectacle for us to have a rematch for a unification. Badou Jack’s vacating the cruiserweight to go up to bridgerweight and fight there and I’m pretty sure [Ilunga] Makabu’s got another shot against Noel Mikaelyan so I think they’re fighting for the WBC title, which I assume will be a Don King promotion. That’s never a good thing necessarily but if they’re the champions they’re the people I’m gonna be targeting next year.”