Extra tickets have been added for Lawrence Okolie’s (19-0, 14 KOs) WBO world cruiserweight title defence against hometown hero Chris Billam-Smith (17-1-0, 12 KOs) at AFC Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium on Saturday, May 27 due to high demand.
British fight fans have blitzed the pre-sale and general sale consignment, snapping up thousands of tickets and guaranteeing a sell-out for the all-British showdown.
The marquee main event sits atop an undercard with newly-announced bouts.
Sam Eggington (33-9, 19 KO’s) has built up a reputation as one of Britain’s most all-action fighters, with a no-nonsense fighting style which enthrals fans and produces highlight moment after highlight moment.
Standing opposite him on May 27th is power-puncher Joe Pigford (20-0, 19 KO’s). With 19 of his wins by KO or TKO, the Southampton slugger has a finish rate of 95% in his victories, a rate unmatched by any British boxer at his weight.
2020 Olympic gold medallist Karriss Artingstall (3-0) made her professional debut in June 2022 and returns to the ring on May 27 for what will be her fourth contest in her first year as a pro.
She faces the undefeated Jade ‘Blade’ Taylor (5-0), a Manchester stablemate of Michael Gomez Jr. Both Artingstall and Taylor going into their bout off the back of respective wins over Bolton veteran Linzi Buczynskyj in their last fights and both are looking for a statement win on the south coast.
And another domestic tussle has been added to what promises to be a blockbuster night of elite boxing on the South Coast as local lad Lee Cutler (12-1-0, 7 KOs) challenges Stanley Stannard (10-0, 4 KOs) in an English Super-Welterweight Championship Eliminator.
Cutler has fought in front of his home fans twice before with BOXXER, beating both Joel Julio and Meshack Mwankemwa on points over six rounds last year – but the Bournemouth boy will face a tough opponent in undefeated southpaw Stannard, who will be determined to cause a big upset.
An intense rivalry awaits in the form of the co-main event where Mikael Lawal (17-0, 11 KOs) defends his British Cruiserweight Championship against Isaac Chamberlain (14-2-0, 8 KOs).
Emerging heavyweight prospect Tommy Welch (10-0, 6 KOs) will also be in action on May 27.
Two young standouts from the south coast joining the card are Bournemouth’s own Mace Ruegg (8-0) against Dean Dodge (9-3-1, 3 KO’s) and Southampton’s Lewis Edmondson (6-0, 3 KOs) against Vladimir Belujski (13-6-1, 9 KO’s), both of whom will have a lot of support in the stadium on fight night as they look for showcase performances against their soon-to-be-announced opponents.
BOXXER CEO & Founder, Ben Shalom, said: “Chris Billam-Smith challenging Lawrence Okolie for the world title is the hottest ticket in town for this summer in Bournemouth and we’re expecting a complete sellout once again.
“The atmosphere at our Bournemouth events has been absolutely unbelievable and I think you’re going to see that taken to new heights at the Vitality Stadium in May.
“A special thanks goes to Joe Ashford-Ellis, Who Dares Gyms and AFC Bournemouth. I guarantee that this is going to be one of the best British boxing events of the year.”