FOR any amateur boxer, the chance to get in the ring with a world class fighter does not come along very often.

In fact, for most it does not happen at all.

So when Barrow ABC heavyweights Jim Braithwaite and Andy Rawlinson got the opportunity to spar with Hughie Fury it was an absolute no-brainer.

And despite the fact they felt a bit bashed and bruised after a few rounds with the WBO World Heavyweight title hopeful, they loved every second of it.

“That was wicked. The best experience of my life,” said Braithwaite after his three rounds of tussling with Fury.

“Loved it,” added Rawlinson. “Apart from the body shots. They sucked the life out of me!”

Fury had six rounds of sparring at Brook Street gym on Wednesday night, split between three Barrow ABC opponents.

Braithwaite, Rawlinson and Jordan Dix took it in turns to climb through the ropes and face one of the most talented heavyweights on the planet.

It goes without saying Fury was a class above – never taking his eyes off his opponent as he kept them at bay with ease, as well as letting go some deadly accurate shots.

“This is just a warm-up,” said Fury, who is just a few days into a camp in the Lake District as he prepares for his WBO Heavyweight title fight against Joseph Parker. The fact it was just a ‘warm-up’ for Fury doesn’t mean it wasn’t a worthwhile exercise for him and all concerned.

“It’s good to get in there with the lads,” he added. “You can take liberties in there but I never would, I’ve not been brought up that way. It’s nice just to get in there and just tick along.”

Braithwaite, Rawlinson and Dix will remember the experience for a long, long time.

And if Fury goes on to defeat Parker in Manchester in September, the Barrow trio can say they played their own small part in his success.

As well as the photo opportunities and ammunition for social media banter, they also picked up some valuable lessons from a master of his trade.

Barrow ABC head coach Jeff Moses, and Fury’s trainer and dad Peter were at ringside offering advice and guidance throughout, and it was clear it was tough going for the amateurs.

Braithwaite picked up a nice shiner for his troubles, but that didn’t bother him in the slightest.

“I want to keep this for the rest of my life,” he joked, pointing to the swelling underneath his left eye.

After six rounds of sparring, Fury moved on to the punch bags to complete his evening’s work , and it was the turn of Peter McDonagh to take centre stage.

McDonagh is a seasoned campaigner with 57 professional fights under his belt and is set to appear on the undercard of the Fury versus Parker showdown.

And he looked very strong and sharp in his rounds with Ethan Doyle, Josh Jones and Dix.

The final sparring sessions saw Savannah Marshall demonstrating the skills which have seen her signed to the Floyd Mayweather stable.

Tia Davies, Jones and Doyle took it in turns to spar with the two-times Olympian, who makes her debut on the Mayweather versus Conor McGregor undercard next month in Las Vegas – a world away from a wet Wednesday in Barrow.

The work put in by Marshall, McDonagh and Fury on nights like this will hopefully pay dividends when it really matters, and Team Fury were certainly very appreciative of Barrow ABC’s hospitality.

So much so that no sooner had the two-hour workout ended it was laughter, bonding and handshakes all round and another sparring session was being organised.

With Team Fury setting up camp less than an hour’s drive away in the Lakes it makes sense for them to hook up with local amateur clubs, and they will be spending a lot of time training at Windermere boxing club over the coming weeks.

“I like it up the Lakes. It’s nice and quiet and I can just focus now and put the hard work in,” said Fury.

“It’s nice to come to places like Barrow. It’s a small town, a bit out of the way. It’s a pleasure to come here. I love this gym as well and we got a lovely welcome, so thank-you very much to everyone.”

And the Barrow ABC contingent were just as thankful to Team Fury for making the trip.