BOURNEMOUTH cruiserweight sensation Chris Billam-Smith revealed how world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury gave him some pointers while out on a run earlier this year.

Having put on a show at the Lighthouse in Poole back in September, Fury set out for a 10-kilometre run the next morning.

He was joined by the likes of Billam-Smith, fellow Dorset fighter Lee Cutler and businessmen Ty Temel, starting off at R1se Gym and running along the seafront.

And it was while meeting the man known as the Gypsy King on that day, Billam-Smith learned he had a high-profile follower.

Quizzed about his encounter with Fury, the Shane McGuigan-trained star said: “I saw him at the show the night before. We went backstage and met him and it was a bit crazy actually – he said ‘I’m a fan of yours’ because he watched the (Isaac) Chamberlain fight.

“He is a big boxing fan and watches a lot of boxing. You get a lot of people that, because they are up there at that level, they don’t watch much boxing but he is boxing through and through and said that.

“He was giving me some tips and stuff on what to do with people and how to bully them (in the ring) and stuff, which is my style.

“It was really nice to hear some words with him and do a run with him.

“We are always running on Saturday mornings and he joined us for that one, which was exciting and something a little bit different. It was a good experience.

“I am very fortunate to have shared the gym with so many great fighters.

“Tyson obviously being one of the biggest names in the sport and the world heavyweight champion – it’s one of the prized possessions you can have in sport. So that was great and I am grateful to him for that.”

Billam-Smith himself is set to headline for the second time at the BIC on Saturday, when he meets Kosovo’s Armend Xhoxhaj as part of a stacked BOXXER card.

Victory for the man nicknamed The Gentleman could pave the way for a potential stadium fight in 2023 with a world title on the line.

The pair both refused to look away from each other during a face off at Thursday’s media workout, with Billam-Smith eager to put on a show for his home fans.

“All that matters to me is how me and my team see the fight and what we have to do,” said the 32-year-old.

“We just focus on what needs to be done and it is very much staying switched on and putting in a good performance. As long as we do that, everything else progresses.

“It can be difficult but you’ve just got to simplify it and keep a very focused approach on just getting the job done.

“That’s how I see this fight. For me, it’s all about the performance, the way I win and the way I perform in this fight.”

And while he is fully focused on his own contest, Billam-Smith was keen to praise the card as a whole, with a number of up-and-coming prospects heading to the south coast.

He said: “The co-main event is Dan Azeez v Rocky Fielding, which is a great fight. Dan Azeez is always exciting to watch, I have done rounds of sparring with him this camp and he always comes to bring it.

“I know he is well-prepared and I know Rocky will be as well. That’s a really interesting, good fight.

“Lee Cutler is in a tough test on the undercard, Michael McKinson is on the card and Caroline Dubois, who has been sparring superbly in the gym. I am just excited to watch her career unfold.

“I am really fortunate to share the card with all those names.”

Victory for Billam-Smith on Saturday would see his professional record move to 17 victories and just one defeat.