Re-live all of the drama from a stunning night of boxing, in which Chris Billam-Smith fulfilled his world championship dream and Leigh Wood recaptured the WBA featherweight title.
FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS:
Chris Billam-Smith BT Lawrence Okolie (MD)
(WBO cruiserweight world title)
Leigh Wood BT Mauricio Lara (UD)
(WBA featherweight world title)
Luis Alberto Lopez BT Michael Conlan - R5 (KO)
(IBF featherweight world title)
All odds displayed within this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or fluctuation.
View the latest markets, odds and Bet Boosts for all of the upcoming boxing
00:10
Fight Night Recap
Wow, what a night - how do I even attempt to sum up what we have seen tonight.
Following the heartbreak for Michael Conlan in Belfast, I admit I did wonder just how things would pan out in the other two fights.
But my word, didn't they half deliver.
Firstly, Chris Billam-Smith produced a career best performance to break the guard of a previously unbeaten world champion in Lawrence Okolie - an opponent who was the big odds-on pre-fight favourite.
It may not have been a classic in terms of the technical side of things, but for entertainment, heart and courage, it was totally unrivalled.
CBS made the admission that he had been in bed sick all week, but you wouldn't have ever known that given the way he took the fight to his former stablemate, and his close friend.
He was relentless in his pursuit of world glory. He promised to deliver the goods to his hometown crowd, and he did just that.
The crowd on the south coast were electric, and they are heading home absolutely ecstatic.
Then, in Manchester, with the dust still settling a couple of hundred miles south in Bournemouth, Wood produced his own career best showing to reclaim the WBA featherweight title for a second time.
It was near perfection from the Nottingham man - who was sensational as he successfully overcome Mauricio Lara - one of the pound-for-pound hardest hitters in the sport.
The Mexican was second best all night - he just couldn't work his opponent out, and his early knockdown took all of the wind out of his sails.
Will we see the trilogy between the two, or his the City Ground primed for a British blockbuster between Wood and Josh Warrington?
The featherweight division is lit, and I cannot to see what the next few months provides.
My heart is still pounding - this is what boxing is all about!
What a night, and thank you for joining us!
In the meantime, there is still plenty of boxing to look forward to - so check out all of the odds and Bet Boosts available on site.
23:50
AND THE NEW...
The judges score the bout...
118-109, 118-109, 116-111 - all three for the winner, by Unanimous Decision, and the new WBA featherweight champion of the world, Leigh Wood!
What scenes in Manchester!!
Patience and discipline were key to that victory - he measured his work so well and was so shrewd in his defensive work.
Congratulations to the two-time champion of the world!
23:46
Surely Wood recaptures his featherweight title
A career best performance from Leigh Wood will surely be rewarded with the points victory it deserves.
That was some performance - especially when you consider the devastating manner in which he was beaten by the same opponent four months ago!
We await the official scorecards, but there can be no doubt that he has prevailed in Manchester. Surely?
23:42
Lara set to go for broke in the final round...
It's do or die time for Lara, who knows he has to find a way to knock Leigh Wood clean out if he is to take his strap back home to Mexico.
The Nottingham fighter has been imperious tonight; showcasing his technical credentials as well as being so shred in his defensive work.
He's three minutes away from becoming the second new world champion this evening.
View all our In-Play odds for the final round.
23:32
Right, over to Manchester for Lara v Wood 2
Are we on the cusp of yet another huge outcome in Manchester?
I have Wood ahead in this fight as we move into the tenth round - although, I have been across a couple of fights for the last 30 minutes.
He looks so assured in there against his dangerous Mexican opponent.
Will he see this through to a successful conclusion and become a two-time world champion?
He's now 1/33 to win the fight!
23:26
AND THE NEW...
The judges score the fight...
112-112, 116-107, 115-108 for the winner by majority decision, and the new WBA featherweight champion of the world, Chris Billam-Smith.
Wow, Wow, Wow - what scenes in Bournemouth.
What a night this has been!
I can't believe the 112-112 card, but still, this isn't the time for politics, the night belongs to the new world champion.
23:22
The final bell rings and CBS is surely a world champion...
Shane McGuigan races into the ring, hugs Lawrence Okolie, and lifts his man, Chris Billam-Smith aloft.
Surely the Bournemouth man is the new world champion!
What a fight that was!
CBS has delivered the goods and the crowd are in raptures on the south coast. Let's see how the judges have scored this...
23:18
Billam-Smith lands a left hand and Okolie is down for a third time
Okolie looks gone here as he drops to the canvas for a third time.
He looks dead on his feet, and as he stumbled forward Billam-Smith lands a left hand.
He has to knock CBS out here to retain his title and unbeaten record.
View the latest In-Play odds
23:12
Billam-Smith puts Okolie down for a SECOND time
Wow, Okolie is down again - Billam-Smith lands a cracking left hook on the ropes, and Okolie can't hold himself up.
He beats the count comfortably and comes back swinging.
Nothing of any note lands though, and it's yet another 10-8 round for the home town hero.
Are we just six minutes away from a monumental victory and upset in Bournemouth?
This is stunning!
23:05
Wood puts Lara down in round two
I can't keep up!!!
Leigh Wood lands a superb shot to the head to put Mexican champion Lara down in the second round.
It's all going off.
The crowd, and a good colleague of mine who is in Manchester tonight, are all up on their feet. They will be so enthused by this start.
Lara recovers and sees the round through - just about!
View the latest In-Play odds
23:03
Another point deducted for Okolie
Wow, Lawrence Okolie's night is going from bad to worse as he is deducted another point in the seventh round.
Chris Billam-Smith is executing Shane McGuigan's plan to a tee!
Don't rule out the reigning champion though, we know what power he possesses in his right hand.
At some point, you'd think, he will have some success.
View the latest odds
22:58
Mauricio Lara v Leigh Wood 2 is underway
We're underway in Manchester - the third and final world title bout of the night has started.
View the latest In-Play odds
22:51
Crisis time for Lawrence Okolie
We're into the sixth round in Bournemouth, as Okolie's disastrous start gets even worse, with the official deducting a point from him in round five.
He is going to have to find a KO if he is to retain his title by the looks of things.
What a dream start for Billam-Smith - who will become world champion if he can maintain his superb start to proceedings.
Billam-Smith is now 8/15 to capture the title.
22:44
We're edging closer to the ringwalks in Manchester!
So one fight is finished, another is underway, and the third, and final one, is set to begin shortly.
Jack Catterall has just marked his in-ring return with a lopsided victory over Darragh Foley, having twice put him down.
Leigh Wood is making his way to the ring as we speak...
Meanwhile, Billam-Smith-Smith has just put Okolie down in Bournemouth. This is crazy!
The reigning champion is back on his feet but the Bournemouth man smells blood.
View the latest odds for both fights here
22:34
Okolie v Billam-Smith is underway...
No time to dwell on the first defeat of the night for a British fighter, let's get straight over to Bournemouth, where Lawrence Okolie and Chris Billam-Smith's bout has started.
Okolie has started the stronger, and as a consequence, his odds have shortened - he's now 1/5 to prevail.
Bet In-Play on the bout
22:24
Scrap that, Conlan is BEATEN!
Wow, Michael Conlan's bid for a first world title is over in the fifth!
Luis Alberto Lopez catches the Irishman with a stunning uppercut and the Olympic bronze medallist is sent packing to the canvas.
What a shot from the Mexican, who follows up his stunning victory over Josh Warrington last year with an even more emphatic stoppage of Conlan.
That was sensational!
22:20
Conlan on the ropes in Belfast
Michael Conlan has enjoyed some success in the opening four rounds, but my word, he has had to weather a storm as Luis Alberto Lopez asserted himself in the second and third rounds.
He landed more frequently in round four though and will be hoping it spurs him on to success over the final eight rounds of the bout.
22:09
We're edging closer to the first bell in Bournemouth too
Whilst the action is underway in Belfast, Bournemouth appears the next destination set to get the headline act underway.
Sam Eggington has just brutally stopped Joe Pigford in their pulsating dust-up, meaning it's very nearly time for the now customary pre-main event anthem, 'Sweet Caroline' to belt out around the Vitality Stadium.
The WBA cruiserweight strap is on the line down there, and it's going to be an enthralling contest between the two former stablemates.
View the latest odds, markets and Bet Boosts for Lawrence Okolie v Chris Billam-Smith
22:05
We're almost underway in Belfast...
Michael Conlan's quest for glory has begun - the Northern Irishman, and Olympic bronze medallist, has undertaken his ring walk in front of a raucous Belfast crowd, who will be willing their man to glory.
Can he become the latest British world title holder?
View the latest In-Play odds for Luis Alberto Lopez v Michael Conlan
22:02
Defiant Leigh Wood ready for Mauricio Lara rematch
Nottingham's Leigh Wood sat down with Rob Tebbutt ahead of his bid to become a two-time WBA featherweight champion against Mauricio Lara at the AO Arena in Manchester this weekend.
21:58
Mauricio Lara v Leigh Wood 2 Bet Boosts >>
As with tonight's other bouts we've got some BOOSTED prices available on the DAZN headline act too...
Check them out below:
Bet Builder:
Fight Result: Leigh Wood
Leigh Wood to score 1 or More knockdowns
Over 7.5 Rounds
Was 9/1 >> Now 10/1
Leigh Wood - Yes
To Be Knocked Down and Win
Was 14/1 >> Now 16/1
Bet Builder:
Fight Result: Mauricio Lara
Mauricio Lara to score 2 or More knockdowns
Under 8.5 Rounds
Was 16/5 >> Now 7/2
Bet Builder:
Leigh Wood by Unanimous Decision
No Knockdowns in the Fight
Was 10/1 >> Now 11/1
21:50
Rob Tebbutt tipping Mauricio Lara to stop Leigh Wood for a second time
So Leigh Wood will be seeking revenge in Manchester this weekend as he takes on Mexican Mauricio Lara just 14 weeks on from their bout in Nottingham.
Lara stopped Wood with a left hook to the chin, forcing trainer Ben Davison to throw in the towel in the seventh round, but the big question is whether it will be repeat or revenge this time around?
Well, I am airing towards a repeat here, because I feel Lara will be more confident this time that he can catch his opponent. He had good early success in the first fight, as early as the second round.
Whilst Wood was in fact ahead on the judges cards at the point that the fight was stopped, I felt there was always an air of inevitability that Lara would get that stoppage at some point, which is exactly how I feel about the rematch.
I am leaning towards Lara here by the specific method of 'Technical Knockout', which means he has to win via the referee stopping the fight, the towel being thrown in from Wood's corner or if it happens to be stopped by a cut.
You can get that method of victory for Lara at Even-Money here at bet365.
Watch his full tipping video for this bout below
21:45
Let's look ahead to Mauricio Lara v Leigh Wood 2
Last but not least, the bout we expected to get underway later than any other - although that may not be the case...
Anyway, let's take a look at all the pre-fight build-up to a bout that promises to be a cracker!
Can Leigh Wood recapture his WBA featherweight title, or will the Mexican land another KO blow?
21:40
A delay to the start of the Luis Albert Lopez v Michael Conlan bout
We're still awaiting the start of the main event in Belfast.
The ring walks STILL haven't taken place, so it looks as though all three fights could be taking place simultaneously in the next 30 to 40 minutes.
Still, more time for you to check our pre-fight odds, markets and Bet Boosts.
21:35
Lawrence Okolie v Chris Billam-Smith: Market Movers
Boxing compiler and industry insider Ian Vickers looks ahead to Saturday evening’s WBO cruiserweight world title bout and tells us how the betting trends have altered the markets since the fight was made.
We opened up at 4/11 for Lawrence Okolie and 2/1 for Chris Billam-Smith, but the punters are getting behind the defending champion in this one to such an extent that he is now into 1/4 with CBS the big outsider at 3/1.
I ran with 6/5 for Okolie to win the fight by stoppage but that is now odds-on at 5/6 so there is quite a bit of pressure on the Londoner getting the victory, and extending his unbeaten record, inside the distance on Saturday night.
I can see why that is, but there has also been a bit of money coming in for the decision too – this is what happens when we have the world betting with us. UK customers see the fight one way, whilst those in Europe, the US and other countries see it differently.
I actually fancy the KO myself. The more I have researched this fight, and watched videos, it’s difficult to see anything other than an Okolie stoppage.
Billam-Smith is a good fighter, he’s as honest as the day is long and as game as they come, but in boxing there are levels, and I just think he is going to come up just short on his homecoming on the south coast.
Bet on Okolie v Billam-Smith
Read the full article
21:23
Lawrence Okolie v Chris Billam-Smith Bet Boosts >>
Check out all of our available Bet Boosts for the main event in Bournemouth:
Bet Builder:
Lawrence Okolie by Unanimous Decision
No Knockdowns in the fight
Was 6/1 >> Now 7/1
Bet Builder:
Fight Result: Lawrence Okolie
Lawrence Okolie to Score 2 or More knockdowns
Over 6.5 Rounds
Was 6/1 >> Now 11/2
Bet Builder:
Lawrence Okolie by KO, TKO or Disqualification
Lawrence Okolie to score 2 or More knockdowns
Was 4/1 >> Now 9/2
Bet Builder:
Fight Result: Chris Billam-Smith
No Knockdowns in the Fight
Over 8.5 Rounds
Was 13/2 >> Now 15/2
Round Group Betting (1)
Lawrence Okolie to win in rounds 7-9
Was 3/1 >> Now 13/4
21:19
Lawrence Okolie v Chris Billam-Smith to go the distance in 5/4 shout
The fight dubbed 'The Best of Enemies' between former gym mates, sparring partners and friends Lawrence Okolie and Chris Billam-Smith at Bournemouth's Vitality Stadium.
Okolie, of course, was once trained by Shane McGuigan, who also trains Billam-Smith - the two have shared over 300 rounds of sparring together and I expect the fight to go the distance.
Okolie, as we know, carries a lot of power in his right hand, but the two are very, very familiar with each other and I do expect McGuigan and Billam-Smith to have come up with a good plan to counteract Okolie's strength, size and awkwardness.
The defending champion will try to impose himself physically, particularly in the clinch, but as I say, I think this one will go the full distance, which is available at 5/4.
Watch the full tipping video below
21:10
It's time to focus on Lawrence Okolie v Chris Billam-Smith
As we still await the ring walks in Belfast, let's begin our look ahead to the main event down in Bournemouth - Lawrence Okolie v Chris Billam-Smith.
The WBO cruiserweight title is on the line on the south coast, and we've got plenty to cover before the bout gets underway in an hour's time.
20:57
We're closing in on the ring walks...
We're edging ever closer to our first world title fight of the night - Luis Alberto Lopez v Michael Conlan.
A reminder of the pre-fight odds:
Luis Alberto Lopez - Even-Money
Michael Conlan - 4/5
Draw or Technical Draw - 12/1
View all markets, odds and Bet Boosts
20:39
The Rise of Michael Conlan
Michael Conlan is 4/5 to become world champion this evening, with his opponent, the defending IBF featherweight title holder, Luis Alberto Lopez priced up at Even-Money.
Our boxing writers Shaun Brown has taken a closer look at a fighter who is, for many, one of the most technically gifted in the world.
It's been a long, arduous ascent up the world title mountain, but could tonight be the night that he reaches the summit?
Read the extensive full article here
20:24
Luis Alberto Lopez v Michael Conlan Bet Boosts
We've got four Bet Boosts available for you ahead of the BT Sport main event, which is scheduled for a 21:10 start.
Here they are:
Bet Builder:
Michael Conlan to win by KO, TKO or Disqualification
Michael Conlan to Score 1 or More knockdowns
Was 7/1 >> Now 8/1
Bet Builder:
Fight Result: Michael Conlan
Michael Conlan to Score 1 or More knockdowns
Over 8.5 Rounds
Was 7/1 >> Now 8/1
Bet Builder:
Fight Result: Luis Alberto Lopez
Luis Alberto Lopez to Score 1 or More knockdowns
Under 9.5 Rounds
Was 9/2 >> Now 5/1
Bet Builder:
Michael Conlan by Unanimous Decision
No Knockdowns in the Fight
Was 16/5 >> Now 7/2
View all odds, markets and Bet Boosts for Lopez v Conlan
20:05
Rob Tebbutt's backing Michael Conlan to deliver the goods in Belfast
Conlan is going to be roared on by a vociferous home crowd, and I feel he will prevail victorious by way of a 'Decision', which is available with bet365 at 7/5.
Better yet, if you feel that the bout is going to be as close as I do, then you can get 8/1 on Conlan winning this one via a 'Split Decision' - let's not forget he has home advantage, albeit he is the challenger for the title.
I think there is good value in that bet given everything is pointing towards it being a very close fight, particularly during the second half.
View all Luis Alberto Lopez v Michael Conlan build-up
Watch the full video above or check out all of his shouts for the fight here
19:59
Time to focus on Luis Alberto Lopez v Michael Conlan
The first fight we will be focussing on is Luis Alberto Lopez v Michael Conlan, which gets underway in Belfast in around 60 minutes' time.
View the latest boxing odds
19:39
Lawrence Okolie v Chris Billam-Smith: Tale of the Tape
Chris Billam-Smith has long wanted the opportunity to fight at the home of his beloved AFC Bournemouth.
In front of a crowd of over 15,000 fans, ‘The Gentleman’ will walk out into the stadium and into the ring to face former stable-mate Lawrence Okolie on Saturday.
Okolie has an ironclad grip on his WBO Cruiserweight title and has never once looked in danger of losing it during his current two-year reign.
All-British world title fights can throw up the extraordinary and Billam-Smith will have to dig deeper than ever to beat Okolie.
Not to say it’s impossible, but the attributes of ‘The Sauce’ put him in nightmare territory.
Crucially, the two men have sparred hundreds of rounds and know each other inside out. One of them will use that to their advantage this Saturday night to turn the fight in their favour.
Let's profile the two fighters at greater depth...
| Lawrence Okolie (2/7) | Chris Billam-Smith (11/4) | |
| Age: | 30 | 32 |
| Height: | 6ft 5ins | 6ft 3ins |
| Reach: | 82½ ins | 75 ins |
| Weight: | Cruiserweight | Cruiserweight |
| Trainer: | SugarHill Steward | Shane McGuigan |
| Record: | 19-0 (14 KOs) | 17-1 (12 KOs) |
| Titles: | Current WBO Cruiserweight champion | Former British, Commonwealth and European cruiserweight champion |
| Last Fight: | W - UD v David Light (Mar 2023) | W - KO (R5) v Armend Xhoxhaj (Dec 2022) |
Read Shaun Brown's full lowdown on the fight
19:24
Mauricio Lara v Leigh Wood II Tale of the Tape
Three months ago, Leigh Wood was outgunned by the swinging fists of Mauricio Lara in front of his own fans in Nottingham.
The damaging seventh-round stoppage and the sight of Wood bloodied and beaten should have been enough to look at a different path back to the top.
But no, he chose to take up the rematch clause and get straight back into the ring with Lara.
He deserves enormous respect for doing so but sometimes too much machismo and pride can spell disaster.
We profile both fighters and look at how the second instalment of this Mexican-british rivalry is likely to play out...
| Mauricio Lara (4/11) | Leigh Wood (11/5) | |
| Age | 25 | 34 |
| Height | 5ft 7ins | 5ft 7ins |
| Reach | 67 ins | 67 ins |
| Weight | Featherweight | Featherweight |
| Trainer | Gerardo Lara | Ben Davison |
| Record | 26-2-1 (19 KOs) | 26-3 (16 KOs) |
| Titles | Current WBA Featherweight Champion | Former WBA Featherweight Champion |
| Last Fight | W - TKO (R7) v Leigh Wood (Feb 2023) | L - TKO (R7) v Mauricio Lara (Feb 2023) |
Read Shaun Brown's full lowdown on the fight
19:07
Luis Alberto Lopez v Michael Conlan Tale of the Tape
It’s a rare occurrence that a fight can be billed as a genuine 50-50 - let alone one which is for a world title.
Later this evening, Luis Alberto Lopez makes the first defence of his IBF featherweight title against local hero Michael Conlan.
This won’t be the first time that the Mexican has entered the lion’s den and is part of a growing contingent of compatriots who don’t know how to lose to British and Irish fighters.
For Conlan, this is everything he has ever dreamed of. A shot at the title in front of his own fans and a real chance of becoming Northern Ireland’s first boxing world champion since Ryan Burnett.
| Luis Alberto Lopez (10/11) | Michael Conlan (10/11) | |
| Age: | 29 | 31 |
| Height: | 5ft 4ins | 5ft 8ins |
| Reach: | 66½ ins | 69ins |
| Weight: | Featherweight | Featherweight |
| Trainer: | Kay Koroma | Adam Booth |
| Record: | 27-2 (15 KOs) | 18-1 (9 KOs) |
| Titles: | Current IBF Featherweight champion | None |
| Last Fight: | W - MD v Josh Warrington (Dec 2022) | W - TKO (R1) v Karim Guerfi (Dec 2022) |
Read Shaun Brown's full lowdown on the fight
18:50
Conlan's bid for glory to come first...
A reminder that the first of tonight's three title bouts - Luis Alberto Lopez v Michael Conlan - is expected to get underway at around 21:00; well the ring walks are anticipated then anyway.
Good old Frank Warren had the foresight to adjust the fight's starting time, to avoid clashing with the other two big bouts this evening in Bournemouth and Manchester.
Ringwalks for those two dust-ups are expected around 22:20 - so it may prove a tad tricky keeping abreast of the action in both; although I will give it my best shot!
18:45
Will Irish eyes be smiling in Belfast?
All eyes will be in Michael Conlan in Belfast as he bids to become the latest British fighter to capture world championship gold.
We caught up with the 2012 Olympic bronze medallist ahead of his BIG night.
18:30
Bet Boosts on ALL THREE fights!
Remember we're offering even bigger prices across all three of this evenings world title bouts.
I've taken a look through them and highlighted one for each of the fights:
Luis Alberto Lopez v Michael Conlan
Bet Builder:
Michael Conlan by Unanimous Decision
No Knockdowns in the Fight
Was 16/5 >> Now 7/2
Mauricio Lara v Leigh Wood
Bet Builder:
Fight Result: Mauricio Lara
Mauricio Lara to score 1 or More Knockdowns
Over 9.5 Rounds
Was 11/2 >> Now 6/1
Lawrence Okolie v Chris Billam-Smith
Bet Builder:
Fight Outcome: Lawrence Okolie by KO, TKO or Disqualification
Lawrence Okolie to score 2 or More Knockdowns
Was 4/1 >> Now 9/2
View all Bet Boosts for Saturday's action
Welcome to Fight Night LIVE!
Here we go then, the build-up is almost over - three world title fights, across three of the UK's greatest cities!
Firstly, in Belfast at around 21:00, we see Michael Conlan bid to become world champion for the first time as he takes on the conqueror of Josh Warrington, Luis Alberto Lopez, with the Mexican's IBF featherweight strap on the line.
Conlan was oh so close to landing the WBA version of the belt last year against Leigh Wood, clearly up on the cards before the Nottingham man landed a thumping head shot in the final round to send the Irishman through the ropes.
Then, over in Manchester an hour or so later, Wood will leave no stone unturned in his bid to recapture his WBA featherweight title just 14 weeks after seeing it ripped from his grasp by Mauricio Lara in his home city.
The Mexican fighter has had issues making weight for the fight, and as a consequence came in four pounds heavier than Wood, leaving the fight in jeopardy.
However, it appears to be game on for the Englishman, with the experienced and tenacious fighter now the only one of the two able to win the strap on the night.
Lara's excess weight means he was stripped of the title on the scales, so if Wood is unsuccessful in his attempt this evening, then the strap will remain vacant - opening up the opportunity for Warrington to put his name firmly back into the mix later this year.
Elsewhere, we have an absolute cracker down on the south coast as Lawrence Okolie seeks to defend his unbeaten record and keep hold of his WBO cruiserweight belt against Bournemouth's Chris Billam-Smith.
There is so much intrigue to this bout given the two were ex stablemates, and still close friends - but one thing is for certain, that will mean little when they face off in the ring at around 22:30 on Saturday night.
As ever, we've got a plethora of markets available on all three fights, and the undercards too - so check them out HERE.
We'll be covering all of the action LIVE from 19:00, providing all the latest odds, insider tips and interviews as the seconds and minutes tick down towards all three world title showdowns.
Rob Tebbutt's Weekend Boxing Tips
Our resident boxing expert Rob Tebbutt looks ahead to five of this weekend's mammoth bouts, including all three world title dust-ups.
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WATCH: Rob Tebbutt tipping Mauricio Lara to stop Leigh Wood for a second time
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