Harry Redknapp teams up with local entrepreneur to subsidise the final 500 tickets for Chris Billam-Smith’s Bournemouth bout… before claiming the ‘local boy’ will beat Lawrence Okolie in cruiserweight world title fight
- Harry Redknapp will be attending Chris Billam-Smith’s fight on Saturday night
- He has teamed up with Joseph Ashford-Ellis to subsidise the final 500 tickets
- Redknapp has backed the ‘local boy’ to beat Okolie at the Vitality Stadium
Harry Redknapp has encouraged local entrepreneur and philanthropist Joseph Ashford-Ellis to subsidise the final 500 tickets for this weekend’s historic cruiserweight world title fight featuring Chris Billam-Smith at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium.
Boxing fans had taken to social media to call for the prices to be dropped so that those who couldn’t afford to purchase a full-price tickets could attend the highly-anticipated bout.
Therefore, Redknapp teamed up with Ashford-Ellis – who has already donated all his profits from his show to local charities including an amateur boxing gym and a soup kitchen- to address the issue.
Redknapp has since announced that Ashford-Ellis has purchased the final 500 tickets to the fight and that he will be selling them at a 50 per cent subsidy to ensure local people have the opportunity to enjoy the momentous moment in the town’s history.
Redknapp, said: ‘I’ve had thousands of people reach out to me for tickets, who are struggling to afford them. There’s only 500 tickets left – so I’ve pushed local entrepreneur Joseph Ashford-Ellis to put his hand in his pocket to make these more affordable.
Harry Redknapp has encouraged local entrepreneur and philanthropist Joseph Ashford-Ellis to subsidise the final 500 tickets for this weekend’s historic cruiserweight world title fight
Chris Billam-Smith will look to dethrone Lawrence Okolie at the Vitality Stadium this weekend
Okolie (left) will face Billam-Smith in front of 15,000 screaming Bournemouth supporters
‘I’m delighted to say locals can now get a 50% discount on the remaining tickets using DISCOUNT50 and enjoy this historic occasion with us all.’
While, Ashford-Ellis, added: ‘I’ve been involved in driving this event from start to finish, and my motivation has always been community focused. All of my profits from this event will be donated to two local charities.
‘I want the community to come together to enjoy and celebrate this historic event, so to now be able to offer locals the opportunity to attend at a 50% discount is something I’m incredibly proud to do. I’d encourage everybody to take advantage of this and celebrate a momentous occasion in Bournemouth’s history.’
Redknapp – who attending Wednesday’s open workout – has backed local Bournemouth boy Billam-Smith in his WBO cruiserweight bout with Okolie on Saturday.
He told Sky Sports: ‘It’s a tough one to call. I’ve got to stick up for the local boy. I see Chris most Saturday’s at Bournemouth football matches. He’s a lovely guy and a great guy. They both look like great guys but I have to stick up for the local boy.’
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