“People die when you forget them. Or stop talking about them. I will never stop talking about it.”
Callum Simpson’s voice chokes with emotion as he remembers his sister.
Lily-Rae Simpson died tragically young in a holiday accident. She was only 19 years old.
The pain of that last loss is raw, unmistakable in the British champion’s eyes as he recalls it.
“Knowing that she’s not going to be a bridesmaid in my wedding and knowing that she’s not going to be my kids’ aunt and they’re not going to meet her,” he said hoarsely before tears welled up. .
“I will always say her name. Even though now I’m emotional, now I cry, every time 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 where she will be remembered. “I’ve got a lovely tribute on my shirt for my next fight, a tribute to her. Barnsley Football Club they did a minute’s applause for her during the match shortly after she passed away,” Simpson said.
But he will also have to control his emotions when boxing to defend his titles. Birmingham’s Woodall is a dangerous challenger, coming off a stunning stoppage win over Lerrone Richards in his last fight. Richards is very skilled, a tricky, hard-to-tag southpaw whom Wood stopped inside six rounds in June.
“Steed is the hardest fight in Britain for me and that’s what I wanted,” said Simpson Sky Sports.
“It should be a tough fight. That’s what I wanted and that’s what I got. I’ve trained hard, I’ve 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.”
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Callum Simpson reflects on his emotional victory over Zak Chelli for the British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles in front of his fans at Oakwell Stadium
Simpson is building a wellspring of support behind him. In his last bout he defeated Zak Chelli at the Oakwell Stadium in his home town of Barnsley, with 7,000 supporters including his sister cheering him on.
He wants to continue to develop his career, building on his passionate fan base and establishing himself on the British boxing scene.
Simpson then cannot afford to lose to Woodall on Saturday. But to win, amidst painful and joyful memories, he will have to keep his mind clear at least during the competition itself.
“I try not to get emotional in a fight with me if I’m honest. I had emotions before the fight and I’m sure there will be a lot after. But from now until the night of the fight, I don’t let emotions get in the way, get involved.” Simpson said.
“I try to keep a cool, calm head. So if it’s emotional afterwards, it’ll be emotional after I’ve won, but during the fight and now, there won’t be any emotion.”
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Best action from the British and Commonwealth super middleweight title fight between Zak Chelli and Callum Simpson
Simpson firmly believes he can do it. “I think I showed that I’m good at blocking out emotions and staying calm and being able to perform under pressure and under what most people would perceive as a lot of emotion,” he said.
“I think I’m good at doing that, I think I proved that at Oakwell when I walked out in front of 7,000 people shouting my name. When I did that walk, they were literally a foot away.
“I honestly feel like it’s a gift. I don’t get nervous about fights. I don’t feel any fear. 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 fight night. I love it. I’m so grateful. This is what I’ve been training for since I was a nine-year-old boy.
“I believe in my ability. I believe in my preparation. So what am I nervous about?”
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Callum Simpson talks to Andy Clarke after his unanimous decision win against Zak Chelli in front of his home crowd in Barnsley.
Amidst the storm of grief he’s been experiencing since his sister’s death, despite the intensity and chaos of a boxing match, the fight will be a relief. As long as he is boxing Woodall, during the frenzy of the race, Simpson will be calm.
“I think boxing has helped massively. It’s given me a good focus and a good disposition for grief and emotion as well,” he said.
“If it wasn’t for all the interviews, maybe I wouldn’t have opened up so much… Maybe it helped me.
“Now let’s live in the moment,” he added. “Get a good win on Saturday and then hopefully we’ll have sold out Oakwell in the summer.
“Years ago this would have been my dream, becoming a starter Sky Sports so I don’t want to wish this weekend and look too far into the future.
“But I have big ambitions, big goals and Oakwell is one of them. But first I enjoy Saturday night. I can take that euphoric feeling and live in the moment.”
Watch Callum Simpson defend his British and Commonwealth super middleweight title against Steed Woodall on Saturday, live on Sky Sports from 7.30pm.
