“People die when you forget them. Or you stop talking about them. I will never stop talking about her.”
Callum Simpson’s voice chokes with emotion as he remembers his sister.
Lily-Rae Simpson has tragically died in an accident while on holiday. He was only 19 years old.
The sadness of this recent loss is raw, undeniable 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 an aunt to my kids and they’re not going to meet her,” he said hoarsely before tears welled up in his eyes.
“I will always say her name. Even though now I’m emotional, now I cry, whenever someone says her name or talks about her, I smile and laugh, just proud that she was my sister,” he said. Sky Sports.
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Callum Simpson and Mark Jeffers have discussed whether they would fight each other in the future, provided they both emerge victorious from their next fights
On Saturday, the British and Commonwealth champion will fight for the first time since her death when she fights Steed Woodall in Sheffield.
It’s another case they’ll remember. “I’ve got a nice tribute on my kit for my next game, a tribute to her. Barnsley football club gave her a minute’s ovation during the match as soon as she died,” said Simpson.
But he will also have to control his emotions when boxing to defend his titles. Birmingham’s Woodall is a dangerous challenger, coming off the back of a stunning win over Leron Richards in his last fight. Richards is very capable, a tough southpaw, hard to mark, who Wood stopped in six rounds in June.
“The Steed is the hardest race 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’ve got. I’ve been training 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 foundation of support behind him. In his last fight he beat Zak Chelli at the Oakwell Stadium in his hometown of Barnsley, with 7,000 supporters, including his sister, roaring him on.
He wants to continue to develop his career, building on his passionate fans and establishing himself on the British boxing scene.
Simpson cannot afford to lose to Woodall on Saturday. But to win, amidst the painful and happy memories, he will need to keep his mind clear at least during the competition itself.
“I try not to have emotions in the fight with me to be honest. I had emotions before the fight and I’m sure there will be more after. But from now until the night of the fight, I’m not letting emotions get in the way, get involved,” said Simpson.
“I’m trying to keep a cool, calm head. So if it’s emotional after, it’s going to be emotional after I win, but during the fight and from now on, there will be no emotions.”
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Action highlights from the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight title fight between Zak Chelli and Callum Simpson
Simpson firmly believes he can do this. “I think I showed that I’m good at blocking out emotion and being relaxed and being able to perform under pressure and under what most people perceived as a lot of emotion,” he said.
“I think I’m good at doing that, I think I proved that at Oakwell when I went out to 7,000 people chanting my name. When I did that boardwalk it was 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 enjoyment. Almost euphoric I would say.
“I don’t want to lie and say I’m nervous. Because I’m looking forward to fight night. I’m enjoying it. I’m so grateful. I’ve been training for it since I was nine years old.
“I believe in my ability. I believe in my preparation. So what am I nervous about?”
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Callum Simpson speaks to Andy Clarke after his unanimous decision win over Zak Chelli in front of his Barnsley home crowd
In the storm of grief he experiences from his sister’s death, despite the tension and chaos of a boxing match, the fights will be a relief. As long as Woodall is boxing, during the frenzy of competition, Simpson will be quiet.
“I think boxing helped a lot. It gave me a good focus and a good outlet for sadness 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 hopefully we’ll have Oakwell sold out in the summer.
“Years ago, this would have been my dream, the front page Sky Sports so I don’t want to wish this weekend away and look too far into the future.
“But I have big ambitions, big goals and Oakwell is one of them. But first enjoy Saturday night. I’m feeling that euphoric feeling and living 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.
