BOURNEMOUTH boxer Chris Billam-Smith described as “surreal” his relationship with idol George Groves.

Both trained by Shane McGuigan, the 28-year-old has been working alongside the WBA super middleweight champion in preparation for Groves’s World Boxing Super Series final.

Nicknamed ‘Saint George’ the world champion will defend his crown for the third time when he locks horns with Callum Smith in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, tomorrow.

But Billam-Smith’s admiration of the Hammersmith puncher started six years before they rubbed shoulders as fellow professionals.

Quizzed on his relationship with the 30-year-old, the former Poole ABC star told Boxing Social: “It started as a one-way street I believe! Probably when I went to watch him against James DeGale back in 2011 at the O2 Arena.

“I then followed his career and he has always been my favourite British fighter.

“When I got chance to spar him, it was mad. Now, to become pals in the gym is good, we get on well and have similar banter. We have a good laugh and gel.

“Then we have tear-ups in the ring because I am helping him prepare for Callum Smith. When I think about it, it’s really surreal.

“It’s mental how someone you idolised, you have now become a sparring partner for, and are friends with.”

Billam-Smith admitted he had taken some flak in the McGuigan camp for ordering similar tracksuits to Groves after the world star’s latest victory over Chris Eubank Junior in Manchester.

But the avid Cherries fan believes the grief should be given the other way round after the super middleweight adopted his colours.

“I was ordering tracksuits for my fight and the ones that were pretty much the same as George’s came up,” added ‘The Gentleman’ who is undefeated in six professional contests.

“They were a decent price and I was buying six of them for all the lads. People just started taking the mick!

“We have similar tracksuits but he had MansionBet (Cherries’ sponsor) for the Eubank fight, now he wears black and red, so I think he’s copying me because they are Bournemouth colours.

“I think he is actually a fan of me more than I’m a fan of him!”

Billam-Smith is set to face the biggest fight of his career when he duels with Robin Dupre in a Commonwealth title eliminator next month.

He will take on Dupre at York Hall on Saturday, October 13.