An Oxfordshire boxer said it was "surreal" to see Britain's Got Talent (BGT) star and radio presenter Jordan Banjo watching a boxing match he competed in. 

The star watched the the Quest regional heavyweight championships in Copthorne in which Liam Slade, a boxer who is part of Bicester-based the Future Boxing Academy, won. 

Mr Banjo is a dancer part of the group Diversity, who won BGT in 2009. 

Mr Slade, who lives in Banbury and has been fighting for around three years, was victorious on a unanimous decision winning the reginal title on Saturday, October 19.

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Speaking on seeing Mr Banjo at the match, Mr Slade said: "It was quite surreal to see him there, he was so casual and such a gentleman, I’m not usually starstruck but that night I was."

"I love winning, I try and always win but this was was big for me, I wasn’t much for sports as a younger man and had a lot to prove and I think I did this."

Mr Slade was coached by Jon Bickley and Harley Pullen, who he says he is "very lucky" to have. 

"Harley to be honest saved my life," Mr Slade said.

"I found myself in a very bad place he’s been an amazing friend and a fantastic coach and the numbers don’t lie.

Liam Slade was victorious in the fight Liam Slade was victorious in the fight (Image: Liam Slade) "My last two bouts have been a success and that’s all down to him.

"Jon is a different type of coach. He understands me as a man and adapt his coaching styles and techniques to suit my style of boxing. I’m very lucky to have both these gentlemen in my corner."

The 24-year-old said his journey leading up to the fight was a "long one". 

"Boxing seems to be the only thing that keeps me excited about exercise and motivated," he said.

"The winning side of boxing came later and I’ve grown a real love for winning and I plan to keep doing so.

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"Training leading up to the fight was very short notice for this one, however I had bout previously with a man from Croydon and stopped him in round two.

"That was a nine week camp that I went through for that fight so you could say I was still prepared from that training camp."

"This is my second title, as I went to Warsop last year for the northern heavyweight title in that region. I’ve now come back down south and I’m the southern regional heavyweight title holder."

Mr Slade added he hopes to turn pro soon and thanked his coaches, his family for their continued support and his fiancé Bella for her "constant presence".

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