Lawrence Okolie vs Chris Billam-Smith WBO Cruiserweight title

Undefeated Okolie ready to knock out friend Billam-Smith

Lawrence Okolie says he loves Chris Billam-Smith but vowed to knock out his friend and take his WBO cruiserweight title on Saturday.

The pair are close friends and have trained together in the past, but Okolie says that will all be forgotten when they step into the ring.

"I love Chris, he's a great guy," said Okolie. "But when we get in that ring, it's business. I'm going to knock him out. I have to."

Billam-Smith is confident he can upset the odds and hand Okolie his first defeat.

"I know I'm the underdog, but I'm not going to let that bother me," said Billam-Smith. "I'm going to go out there and give it everything I've got."

The fight is sure to be a close and exciting one, and it could well come down to who wants it more.

Okolie is the more experienced fighter, but Billam-Smith is the younger and hungrier fighter.

Whoever wins will be crowned WBO cruiserweight champion, and will be in line for a shot at the likes of Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin.