CHALLENGER Mateusz Masternak is eyeing Bournemouth as the venue for “the best scene” of his boxing career, which he says has “been like a movie”.

The 36-year-old, ranked number five in the world by the WBO, is looking to stun hometown favourite Chris Billam-Smith and become world champion for the first time.

The two will go head-to-head at the BIC on Sunday, December 10.

Masternak, a former European and IBF and WBA intercontinental cruiserweight champion, boasts a professional record of 47-5, including 31 knockouts.

On a six-bout winning streak, Masternak has boxed just once in the UK previously, losing to Tony Bellew by unanimous decision in London in 2015.

Looking ahead to his showdown with WBO cruiserweight champion Billam-Smith (18-1), set for his first world title defence having won the belt from Lawrence Okolie in May, Masternak said: “I think Chris Billam-Smith is a very good boxer.

“He showed his warrior soul in his last fight and proved that he deserves to be champion.

“I have a lot of respect for him in that way, but I believe more in my skills and my experience.

“I’ve been dreaming of the world championship since I started boxing.

“My boxing journey has been like a movie, all the highs and lows. I hope in December we get the best scene.

“I’m looking forward to fighting in England again, the fans create a great atmosphere there.“

BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom added: “Chris Billam-Smith wanted his first defence of the WBO world cruiserweight championship to be a big crowd-pleaser of a fight in his home town.

“Mateusz Masternak ticks all the boxes; he's ranked number five in the world, he's got a ton of experience and he rarely takes a backwards step.

“He’s a very dangerous opponent and Billam-Smith is taking a serious risk here. 

“Anyone who has ever experienced a BOXXER event at the Bournemouth International Centre will know just how crazy the atmosphere gets in there and I think this one will take that to a new level, the crowd are going to raise the roof.

“We're ending the year with a guaranteed Christmas cracker and I can't wait."