Trainers McGuigan & Scott clash over Billam-Smith comments

Shane McGuigan has trained Chris Billam-Smith for all of his professional boxing career

Chris Billam-Smith's coach Shane McGuigan has hit out at rival trainer Malik Scott's comments about his fighter as the Briton prepares to take on Gilberto Ramirez on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.

Throughout the fight week in Riyadh both cruiserweight champions Billam-Smith and Ramirez have been very respectful in their interactions, sharing handshakes and warm smiles during face offs.

However at Thursday's news conference it was trainers McGuigan and Scott who who shared choice words at the top table.

In an interview prior to the event, Scott was quoted saying he believed Mexican fighter Ramirez is "levels above" Billam-Smith and said the bout for him was a "mismatch".

McGuigan did not share the same sentiment.

"We understand where Malik maybe feels in terms of skill level but this fight isn’t just about skill," McGuigan said.

"It’s about size, pace and power and resilience. They are going to be big factors in this fight.

"We’ve got lots of respect for Zurdo but (Scott) coming out with trashy comments like that we don’t have respect for."

Billam-Smith, 34, is the WBO cruiserweight champion and aims to add Ramirez's WBA title to his collection.

'Billam-Smith is like a hero to me'

AFC Bournemouth fans Conor, Donald and Alex have made the trip to support Billam-Smith

Bournemouth's Billam-Smith will be aiming to become one of an elite group of British boxers to have held more than one world title belt at the same time.

The Venue in Saudi Arabia's capital will host "Latino Night" with a card packed full of fighters from the stable of former world champion and now promoter Oscar De La Hoya.

The fight week media events have been taking place in the Mexican part of the Boulevard World in Riyadh, a park that has models and buildings of some of the most iconic landmarks from across the world.

Billam-Smith is in action outside of the United Kingdom for the first time professionally.

Despite the trip being so far away from home, some loyal supporters have made the journey out to the Middle East to back their champion.

"Chris is just an inspiration as a human being," said Billam-Smith fan Alex.

"Any young person coming through looking to get into boxing he is such a good role model, everything about Chris is authentic, he loves Bournemouth too."

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"Chris is such a phenomenal guy," another supporter Conor added.

"I first came across him through his involvement with a local charity and he is so generous with his time, for a middle aged man like me he is a bit of a hero and he is someone you just want to get behind and believe in."

The atmosphere on fight night may not be like one Billam-Smith has been used to so far in his career.

From sold out arenas in Bournemouth and even at the Vitality Stadium where he headlined, the arena will be filled with a few thousand people, some there for Ramirez and others for Billam-Smith as well as some neutral spectators.

"I know my pocket of support will be nice and loud on fight night," Billam-Smith told BBC Sport.

"I'll be sure to silence Zurdo's section of support. It's amazing that a few people have made the trip over, it's such a long way and not cheap either.

"I'm really grateful and this is what drives me, I got into the sport for hearing people chant your name and it is a special feeling."