UNDEFEATED Chris Billam-Smith expressed his admiration for boxing legend Barry McGuigan.

The exciting Bournemouth prospect has burst on to the scene in the professional ranks under the guidance of the legendary Irish fighter since formally linking up with McGuigan’s Cyclone Promotions stable.

Dubbed “the UK’s newest cruiserweight sensation” ahead of his most recent contest, 27-year-old Billam-Smith admitted he had been initially star struck when snapped up by the former featherweight world champion.

But with three knockout victories during his pro career so far, the rising star is keen to keep learning from one of boxing’s biggest names.

McGuigan’s record as a professional stood at an impressive 32 wins from 35 fights, with 28 victories coming inside the scheduled distance.

Famously known as the Clones Cyclone, 56-year-old McGuigan was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 2000 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2005.

Asked was it was like to work with a legend of the sport, former Poole ABC fighter Billam-Smith told the Daily Echo: “He is an unbelievable manager.

“I believe there is nobody more passionate in the sport, let alone as a manager.

“It’s hard to find people who are as passionate as Barry, especially considering what he has achieved – he has done everything in the sport and is a hall of famer.

“He is there at every sparring session because he wants the best for us. He is a great man to have around and I am always learning so much from him.

“He was a monster inside the ring but a great bloke out of it. He has time for everyone – he likes to know people’s names and is a gentleman in that respect.”

Billam-Smith first came to McGuigan’s attention last year when he sparred with David Haye ahead of the former world heavyweight champion’s ring comeback against Mark de Mori.

Having gathered further information about the Dorset boxer via YouTube, McGuigan was suitably impressed.

Now coached by McGuigan’s son Shane, who also trains WBA super middleweight champion George Groves, Billam-Smith admitted he still had to pinch himself on occasions having earned his dream chance.

“I am really grateful for the opportunity they have given me and I am enjoying every moment of it,” he added.

“For the first few months, I was constantly sitting in the gym after my session. I’d get a shower and be sitting upstairs with some food and George would be on the pads.

“Barry would be in the office and I would just look around, smile to myself and shake my head. It was just like ‘wow, what happened? How did I get to this?’.

“Shane has taught me so much in such a short space of time.

“If he has taught me this much in around six months, it will be interesting to see after a few years how quickly I can develop. It is definitely something I am looking forward to.”

Billam-Smith is set to step into the ring for his fourth fight as a professional in Leicester on Saturday, December 2.