Boyhood friends back Chris Billam-Smith ahead of Riyadh title bout

Before his title unification match, Chris Billam-Smith has been referred to as a legend by friends he has known since childhood.

Gary and Mike journeyed from Bournemouth to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to see the WBO cruiserweight champion face off against the WBA champion, Gilberto Ramirez, from Mexico.

Mike even playfully mentioned that he didn’t want his longtime friend to find out just how much money he had invested in him during the fight.

"If he wins, I'm getting a brand-new kitchen, so hurry up and score me that boiler tap. I really want that built-in air fryer!" he exclaimed.

The duo expressed complete confidence in "The Gentleman," a nickname for Billam-Smith, particularly with the well-respected coach Shane McGuigan supporting him.