WBO cruiserweight world champion Lawrence Okolie cautions that challenger Chris Billam-Smith is a big puncher, but won’t be able to withstand the constant in their upcoming bout.
Okolie will defend his belt against Billam-Smith this coming Saturday night at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth.
Billam-Smith is trained by Okolie’s former coach, Shane McGuigan. Okolie’s corner is now guided by veteran trainer SugarHill Steward.
Back in March, Hill worked Okolie’s corner as he won a twelve round unanimous decision over mandatory challenger David Light.
Some believe Billam-Smith will be elevated by the large home crowd.
Okolie is not concerned, explaining that his upcoming foe has never faced an opponent who tops him in every category
“I’ve always been in big, hard, competitions and I’ve always come out on top. That whole idea of him [Chris] bringing it on in big occasions, I haven’t seen him do it,” Okolie told The Daily Mail.
“Every belt he has won is one that I won, let go and said go on mate you can have a go. When you talk about all that kind of stuff, I just don’t believe it personally. I just have to show them on the day. They will already know that I rise to the occasion as you never see me lose or look like losing. So, Chris is there on the day and gives it a good go. He’s usually the stronger guy that can bully these guys.
“But, this time he will be against someone who is physically stronger than him, punches harder than him, punches longer and is as fit, if not fitter. So, he’s got an uphill battle to come. We will see if rising to the occasion matter or whether it will be the same as always.”