MIDDLEWEIGHT Matty Legg received a huge boost ahead of his Southern Area title fight having met some of his Cherries heroes.

Eddie Howe’s squad made the trip to train at Bendall’s gym in Parkstone on Thursday, with Legg in attendance as preparation for his 10-round bout against Danny Butler in Bristol tomorrow night.

And the Bournemouth fighter insisted meeting the Premier League stars provided him with added motivation to secure the area belt.

Asked to describe his reaction when the club’s players and coaching staff stepped into the gym, Legg, who regularly attends Cherries fixtures, told the Daily Echo: “I was a bit in shock and a little bit in awe.

“Players like Simon Francis, Charlie Daniels and Marc Pugh – they have been around and played for Bournemouth for years.

“Then I saw Eddie Howe walk in and I thought ‘wow, this man has really changed the whole town’.”

Legg’s current professional record stands at seven wins and one defeat from his opening eight contests.

And the 24-year-old claimed Cherries manager Howe gave him an added incentive to record another victory, ahead of what is the biggest fight of his professional career.

“Eddie said if I won this belt I could walk out on the pitch with it. I was buzzing about that,” Legg added.

“It has always been a dream of mine, since I turned professional, to walk out on the pitch.

“When Eddie said I could do that it gave me a bit more motivation for this fight.

“They all said good luck. Steve Fletcher loves his boxing and he walked me out for one of my fights a couple of years ago.

“I was made up to have met who I met. It was really good.”

Quizzed ahead of the fight itself, Legg admitted he sees himself as an underdog against the more experienced Butler.

But the Bournemouth fighter believed he had never felt in better shape heading into the contest.

“It’s a massive opportunity and a big step up,” added Legg.

“I have only ever done six rounds before and this is an extra four.

“But I have trained really hard for it and have been up and down the country getting the best sparring. I couldn’t feel any better, to be honest.

“You get mentally prepared thanks to the training you have done. I am in the best shape of my life.

“Someone of his level is not going to be underprepared. He is going to be in good condition but I have watched him and I definitely believe I can beat him.”

Legg’s manager Steve Bendall added: “It’s a big step up for Matty but it’s a very winnable fight.

“He feels the big fights bring the best out in him and he is showing improvement in his performances.

"It would be great for Bournemouth if he could pull it off.”