28 May 2023 , 08:24
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Boxing fans were in shock as one judge scored Chris Billam-Smith's world title fight against Lawrence Okolie a draw.
Okolie put his WBO cruiserweight belt on the line against Billam-Smith when the pair met at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth on Saturday night. Local boy Billam-Smith dropped his rival three times across the 12 rounds with Okolie also being deducted two points in the fight for constant holding.
Despite the knockdowns and point deductions, one judge scored the fight as a 112-112 draw. The other two scorecards read 116-107 and 115-108 in Billam-Smith's favour as the 32-year-old was rightfully crowned the new world champion. Fans have since called for an investigation to be launched into the judge who scored the fight draw.
What were your thoughts on the controversial scorecard for Chris Billam-Smith's win over Lawrence Okolie? Let us know in the comments section below
"There need to be commissions where judges explain why they've given scorecards and it should be accompanied with video review where they felt 112-112 was possible in that fight," one user wrote. "Where did the 112 - 112 come from. Judges should explain the rationale behind the scorecard," a second user added.
Richard Riakporhe includes Lawrence Okolie clash on two-fight British list
"Not sure where the judge got 112-112 from. Billam-Smith definitely deserved that," another user wrote. "That’s the worst individual card of all time," a fourth user vented before a final comment read: "112-112 after 3 knockdowns in 3 separate rounds + 2 points deducted. Madness."
Chris-Billam Smith knocked down Lawrence Okolie three times (Getty Images)Okolie was gracious in defeat whilst Billam-Smith revealed that he suffered from an illness during fight week and didn't eat for two days. "My whole life has just gone so quick in one moment, this is perfect. He gave me a very hard 12 rounds and I believe I did enough to win it. I didn't eat from Tuesday to Thursday to make the weight, I was sick in bed all week, I just had to make the weight," he said.
"Lawrence was a great champion who never looked like getting beat. It was not a great looking fight but that doesn't matter. I dedicate this to my mum, I love you so much, thank you so much. I will never top this night, this is the greatest of my career. I thank the fans because they created this for me. I have become a world champion, in my home town."