A BOXING masterclass by new world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua was simply knockout for two East Lancs firms.

Behind the scenes, MT3 and BPM SFX have been part of AJ's back-up crew for some time.

Mark Turner and his team at MT3 are licensed suppliers of The Tank, a state-of-the-art piece of resistance equipment from America.

And the company was only too pleased to deliver a model to Joshua at British Boxing in Sheffield.

When Joshua outfoxed Andy Ruiz Jnr in Saudi Arabia, to regain the IBF, WBA and WBO versions of the heavyweight crown, MT3 were among the many lauding the fighter's prowess.

The fitness company was established by former British Cycling coach Mark Turner in 2015 and works out of premises off Burnham Gate.

Burnley-based BPM SFX had a front-row seat for the thriller in Riyadh and sent out specialists to co-ordinate the spectacular entrance for Joshua and Ruiz.

Later the firm posted on Instagram: "We are thrilled to have been involved with such an incredible event, providing lasers for the epic Andrew Ruiz & Anthony Joshua ring walks in addition to showers of custom confetti and of course a display pyro ended to top off an unforgettable evening."

The Clash in the Dunes went out to a worldwide TV audience of 130million.

The special effects firm, based at Oak Mill in Dunnockshaw, has also been involved recently with concert finales for the likes of Lewis Capaldi, Gerry Cinnamon and Freya Ridings.