Callum Simpson on grief, fear and the ‘euphoric feeling’ ahead of his toughest fight on Saturday | Boxing News

“People die when they are forgotten. Or you stop talking about them. I’ll never stop talking about her.”

Callum Simpson’s voice chokes with emotion as he thinks about his sister.

Lily-Rae Simpson died tragically young in an accident while on holiday. She was just 19 years old.

The sadness of this latest defeat is unmistakable in the British champion’s eyes when he thinks about it.

“I know she won’t be a bridesmaid at my wedding, and I know she won’t be an aunt to my children and they won’t get to know her,” he said hoarsely before tears cut him off.

“I will always say her name. Even though I’m emotional and crying now, whenever someone says her name or talks about her, I smile and laugh, just proud that she was my sister,” he said Sky Sports.

On Saturday the British and Commonwealth champion will box for the first time since her death when he fights Steed Woodall in Sheffield.

It’s another occasion for which she will be remembered. “I have a nice tribute on my gear for my next fight, a tribute to her. Barnsley Football Club gave her a minute’s applause during the game shortly after her death,” Simpson said.

But he also has to keep his emotions under control as he boxes to defend his titles. Birmingham’s Woodall is a dangerous challenger who scored a stunning stoppage win over Lerrone Richards in his last fight. Richards is highly skilled, a tricky southpaw who is difficult to hit and who Wood stopped within six rounds in June.

“Steed is the toughest fight in Britain for me and that’s what I wanted,” said Simpson Sky Sports.

“It should be a tough fight. This is what I wanted and what I have. I trained hard, I prepared really well and I’m looking forward to it.”

“I want to be the next super middleweight star. I want to be the next big name.”

Simpson is building a wave of support behind him. In his last fight he defeated Zak Chelli at the Oakwell Stadium in his hometown of Barnsley, with 7,000 fans, including his sister, cheering him on.

He wants to develop his career, build on his passionate fan base and establish himself in the British boxing scene.

Simpson then cannot afford to lose to Woodall on Saturday. But in order to win despite the painful and joyful memories, he must at least keep a clear head during the competition.

“If I’m honest, I try not to bring emotions into a fight. I had emotions before the fight and I’m sure there will be many after. But from now until the night of the fight, I won’t let it happen. “If emotions get in the way, get involved,” Simpson said.

“I try to keep a cool, calm head. So if it gets emotional after that, it will also be emotional after I win, but during the fight and from now on there will be no more emotions.”

Simpson firmly believes he can do it. “I think I’ve shown that I’m good at blocking out emotions, staying relaxed and being able to perform under pressure and what most people would perceive as a lot of emotions,” he said .

“I think I’m good at it. I think I proved that at Oakwell when I went up to 7,000 people and shouted my name. When I did that ring walk, they were literally a foot away.”

“I really feel like it’s a gift. I don’t get nervous during fights. I’m not afraid. All this fear is just pleasure. Almost euphoric, I would say.”

“I don’t want to lie and say I get nervous. Because I’m looking forward to the fight evening. I enjoy it. I’m so grateful. I’ve been training for this since I was nine years old.” .

“I believe in my abilities. I believe in my preparation. So why am I nervous?”

Amid the storm of grief he has been experiencing since his sister’s death, the fight will be a relief despite the intensity and chaos of a boxing match. As long as he is boxing against Woodall, Simpson will be at peace in the hustle and bustle of the fight.

“I think boxing helped enormously. It gave me good focus and a good outlet for my grief and emotions,” he said.

“Without the many interviews, I might not have been so open… Maybe it helped me.”

“Now let’s live in the moment,” he added. “If we get a good win on Saturday hopefully Oakwell will be sold out in the summer.”

“Years ago it would have been my dream to perform here as a headliner Sky Sports That’s why I don’t want to wish for this weekend and look too far into the future.

“But I have big ambitions, big goals and Oakwell is one of them. But first enjoy Saturday evening. I get this euphoric feeling and live in the moment.”

Watch Callum Simpson defend his British and Commonwealth super middleweight title against Steed Woodall live on Sky Sports from 7:30pm on Saturday.