Leigh Wood and Chris Billam-Smith win world titles with victories over familiar foes
Leigh Wood and Chris Billam-Smith enjoyed successful evenings against familiar foes on Saturday, winning world titles in their respective fights. Wood avenged a knockout loss to Mauricio Lara by outpointing the Mexican in Manchester, regaining the WBA featherweight title that he lost in the pair’s first clash. Meanwhile, Billam-Smith was a decision victor over former sparring partner Lawrence Okolie, winning the WBO cruiserweight title at the stadium that is home to his beloved AFC Bournemouth. Wood, 34, was fighting in his hometown of Nottingham when he lost the WBA featherweight belt to Lara in February, as the Mexican won with a controversial TKO in Round 7. However, Lara was stripped of the title on Friday (26 May) after failing to make weight for his rematch with Wood, who was the only fighter eligible to win the gold in Saturday’s main event. And Wood, who was leading his first fight with Lara at the time of the stoppage, got out ahead of the 25-year-old again in Manchester. This time, though, the Briton was able to stay composed throughout, earning a unanimous-decision win (118-109, 118-109, 116-111). Meanwhile, at Vitality Stadium – home to Premier League club Bournemouth – Billam-Smith won a scrappy majority decision against Okolie to claim his first world title. Billam-Smith, in front of a raucous home crowd, knocked down his ex-sparring partner three times, while Okolie also had two points docked for excessive holding. It all led to scorecards of 112-112, 116-107, 115-108 in favour of Billam-Smith. “The Gentleman” then dedicated the win to his mother, who is suffering from breast cancer, and his son, who turned one year old on Friday. Elsewhere, Michael Conlan did not have such a happy homecoming. The Northern Irishman, fighting in his hometown of Belfast, was stopped by Luis Alberto Lopez in the fifth round. Mexican Lopez dropped Conlan with a vicious uppercut, and the towel came in as Conlan struggled to find his bearings. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Mauricio Lara stripped of title before Leigh Wood rematch amid weigh-in drama Wood vs Lara LIVE: Latest boxing fight updates and results What time does Wood vs Lara start in UK and US this weekend?
2023-05-28 07:23
Biden, McCarthy Speak Saturday Night on Debt Talks
President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy are speaking by phone Saturday evening as their negotiators on
2023-05-28 06:52
Ken Paxton: Texas House votes to impeach Trump ally
Ken Paxton, Texas' Attorney General, is now suspended from office pending a trial in the state Senate.
2023-05-28 06:47
ChatGPT: US lawyer admits using AI for case research
The lawyer told the judge he did not know content from the artificial intelligence could be false.
2023-05-28 06:45
Argentina Economic Chief to Fly to China for Swap Line Talks
Argentine Economy Minister Sergio Massa will travel to China next week in a bid to free up more
2023-05-28 06:27
Extinction Rebellion protest in Netherlands ends with 1,500 arrested
Officers used water cannon to try to disperse the crowds at the Extinction Rebellion protest
2023-05-28 05:21
Possible reason for Cowboys not going after DeAndre Hopkins is very lame
The Cowboys may bow out of the race to sign former Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins because of a roster management excuse that couldn't be more weak.Half of the league perked up on Friday when the Cardinals released wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins after months of unsuccessfully trying ...
2023-05-28 04:57
Nigeria Raises Limit on Central Bank Borrowing to 15% of Revenue
Nigerian lawmakers increased the legal limit on government borrowings from the central bank in an emergency sitting of
2023-05-28 04:47
Marlins vs. Angels prediction and odds for Saturday, May 27
The Marlins and Angels continue a weekend series out west after Miami scored a 6-2 win to start the three game set on Friday.However, Miami will face a stiff test on Saturday night with Shohei Ohtani working double duty as a dangerous hitter and Cy Young caliber pitcher. The Marlins will counter...
2023-05-28 04:46
Lawyer apologizes for fake court citations from ChatGPT
The meteoric rise of ChatGPT is shaking up multiple industries -- including law. A lawyer for a man suing Avianca Airlines apologized in court after at least six cases as research for a brief were bogus, made up by ChatGPT.
2023-05-28 04:29
US Jobs Report Is Set to Provide Some Solace to the Fed
US employers are gradually dialing back the pace of hiring and hourly earnings are moderating, offering some solace
2023-05-28 04:27
Here’s Why Buying a Chunk of America Can Be an Inflation Hedge
In an era of historic inflation, one alternative investment has been making its way into portfolios as a
2023-05-28 04:20