The at all times enhancing Chris Billam-Smith tells Elliot Worsell why his stablemate Lawrence Okolie could be too good for Mairis Briedis
BOURNEMOUTH cruiserweight Chris Billam-Smith by no means has to go looking too arduous for both inspiration or a blueprint, at the least not when coaching alongside Lawrence Okolie, among the best cruiserweights on the planet, every day. The 2 main British cruiserweights, each coached by Shane McGuigan, are at barely totally different levels of their respective careers however are shut sufficient, by way of ability and expertise, to behave as good foils for each other.
“The sparring I’ve completed with Lawrence over the previous few years has been good,” Billam-Smith, often known as “The Gentleman”, informed Boxing Information. “It has actually introduced me on as a fighter.
“I’m very lucky to not solely be within the fitness center I’m in but additionally be surrounded by high-level fighters. I’ve educated alongside a number of world champions and now I’m coaching alongside a world [WBO] champion in my weight division. It’s vastly helpful for me and is barely going to assist my profession.”
Such is Billam-Smith’s rising repute, he’s additionally wished elsewhere. Final yr, the present European champion spent weeks coaching alongside the world champion in his weight class: Latvia’s Mairis Briedis. This, in addition to providing Billam-Smith some priceless expertise, allowed him to think about what would possibly occur when Briedis and Okolie inevitably cross paths in some unspecified time in the future. “Briedis is at all times thrilling and Lawrence is at all times punching arduous,” mentioned Billam-Smith. “He’s handled a variety of totally different kinds, Lawrence. Individuals would possibly attempt to put the strain on him however he is aware of find out how to take care of that. He clearly handled [Krzysztof] Głowacki high-quality. He [Głowacki] might have been in direction of the tip of his profession however no one had handled him that simply. Out of everybody who has crushed Głowacki, Lawrence positively did the most effective job.
“It’s an important combat [Briedis vs Okolie], however Lawrence could be my favorite. He hasn’t regarded in hassle at any level in his profession. He regarded ugly early on however he has by no means regarded in hassle or like anybody goes to beat him. Briedis hasn’t been in an excessive amount of hassle, both, however he does get hit and he does wish to commerce. Lawrence isn’t somebody you need to be buying and selling punches with as a result of he hits so arduous.”
As for Billam-Smith’s personal progress, the trajectory stays an upward one. To date this yr he has fought twice, outpointing Vasil Ducár over 10 rounds after which Tommy McCarthy over 12, and has efficiently lassoed the British, Commonwealth and European cruiserweight titles inside simply 14 professional fights.
“I assume it [the European title] has come sooner than I believed it could by way of fights,” mentioned Billam-Smith. “I gained the belt in my 14th combat and that’s fairly early. However I understand how the sport works and the way the enterprise works. You possibly can by no means plot your route in boxing as a result of there are at all times totally different champions and so they’re altering on a regular basis. You simply don’t know if you’re going to get your alternative.
“We by no means thought I’d field [Richard] Riakporhe as early as I did [Billam-Smith’s 10th fight, back in 2019]. There have been different opponents I’d supplied to combat however they weren’t having it. I had no drawback saying ‘sure’ to Riakporhe.
“Though I didn’t get the choice on the evening [Billam-Smith lost via split-decision], I nonetheless suppose it was the most effective factor for my profession. It put me on TV and other people acquired to see what I’m all about.”
Subsequent for Billam-Smith, 13-1 (10), is a primary defence of his European crown on Saturday (November 13) towards unheralded Frenchman Dylan Bregeon, whose greatest hazard lies within the reality no one is aware of a lot about him. The 27-year-old, defeated as soon as in 13 professional fights, turned professional the identical yr as Billam-Smith (2017) however, not like Billam-Smith, has but to safe a single win of word.
“Nobody knew his title and I didn’t till it was mentioned to me,” mentioned the 31-year-old champion. “I regarded him up and watched the (Fabio) Turchi combat, which is his solely loss, and that was a detailed combat. In the event you’re dropping by two rounds in Italy towards a man who’s headlining exhibits there, you may need gained the combat.
“I’m properly conscious of the hazard he possesses. He doesn’t appear to be a large puncher however he positively has heavier fingers than his report suggests. He additionally appears to be like like a tricky bloke. His solely loss was a detailed determination.
“I’m in a no-win scenario actually. Everybody goes to anticipate me to flatten him in nevertheless many rounds. However we all know the hazard he poses and I’ve acquired to be on it. If it’s not a superb efficiency he may look half respectable and nick a number of rounds right here and there.”
In some ways, Billam-Smith’s first defence towards Bregeon appears like your typical homecoming combat, the one distinction being it takes place in Sheffield slightly than Bournemouth, the place Billam-Smith considers dwelling. Take care of Bregeon, although, and there’s each probability Billam-Smith takes his European title again to Bournemouth for a correct homecoming in 2022.
“I’ve had a superb chat with Eddie [Hearn, promoter] and he’s mentioned I’ll most likely combat in Bournemouth in February or March subsequent yr,” he mentioned. “That’s my dream, to carry a giant combat to Bournemouth, and the long-term dream is to combat on the soccer stadium. Hopefully, if I maintain working arduous, and maintain profitable, I could make that occur.”
