“Dreams,” Lawrence Okolie ominously tells Chris Billam-Smith, “don’t always come true.”
Okolie is coming to Bournemouth to win. He would not care that Billam-Smith is an previous good friend and former gym-mate.
He would not care that the hopes of Saturday’s raucous native crowd will probably be invested in Billam-Smith.
He would not care that each one Billam-Smith desires is to win a world title with 15,000 supporters roaring him on the Vitality Stadium in his residence city, reside on Sky Sports.
Lawrence Okolie refused to stare into the eyes of Chris Billam-Smith for too lengthy on the battle week press-conference
He desires the win and he wants the WBO cruiserweight title belt to remain wrapped spherical his waist after Saturday night time’s battle.
“I have my own dreams and aspirations,” Okolie informed Sky Sports, “and Chris is actually in my way.”
His perspective to Billam-Smith will probably be no totally different to another opponent. “I’d have a fight with my own brother if necessary,” Okolie mentioned. “I sparred my brother and I let you know what I did not go straightforward.
“I don’t actually have a look at it any in a different way as a result of it is somebody that I do know or have recognized. I nonetheless have to dam punches, slip punches and come again with my very own.
Chris Billam-Smith’s coach Shane McGuigan says a win over Lawrence Okolie can be his greatest ever win as a coach
“When the bell goes there’s no such thing as I know him and this, that and the other. It’s just a fight.”
Okolie is a formidable man to face within the ring. In lower than 20 skilled contests, he has received a world title and defended it thrice.
“Not to mention British, Commonwealth, European [titles]. And not to mention I only had 20 something amateur fights,” he mentioned.
“So I’ve had beneath 50 fights and I’ve turn into a European [amateur] champion and Olympian, British, Commonwealth, European and world champion.
Boxxer CEO Ben Shalom says Lawrence Okolie’s new, extra aggressive fashion might work within the favour of opponent Chris Billam-Smith
“Against guys,” he added, “who have had a whole wealth of experience and at all times my character has shown through, so this is another opportunity for my character to show through.
“For me it is simply one other one to tick off the guidelines, boxing a fighter of their residence city and I’m clearly the champion however the away fighter in concept.
“I’m looking forward to what’s to come.”
Billam-Smith has warned that Okolie will probably be shocked by his energy. But the champion is adamant that “talk is cheap but I’m the harder puncher, not matter how you want to look at it, I punch harder than him”.
Ahead of this weekend’s WBO cruiserweight conflict between Lawrence Okolie and Chris Billam-Smith, try some of the most effective British world title fights to have taken place on Sky Sports
He is unconvinced that Billam-Smith will probably be powerful sufficient to take his pictures.
“No. I don’t think anyone is really,” Okolie mentioned. “These guys have all tried but either they get hurt or disheartened or they get tired. I think all three are going to happen to Chris in this fight.
“I believe all three are going to occur.
“If he comes how I expect him to come, which is to have a fight then yeah, I expect to knock him out. Because the more that you’re looking for it the more that opportunities arise for someone else. Someone like me.
“But we’ll see.”
Don’t miss Lawrence Okolie vs Chris Billam-Smith reside on Sky Sports Action and Sky Showcase from 7pm on Saturday night time.
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