“People die when you forget them. Or you stop talking about them. I will never stop talking about them.”
Callum Simpson's voice chokes with emotion as he remembers his sister.
Lily Rae Simpson died tragically young in an accident while on vacation. She was only 19 years old.
The sadness of that latest loss is clear and unmistakable in the British hero's eyes as he remembers it.
“Knowing that she will not be a bridesmaid at my wedding and knowing that she will not be an aunt to my children and they will not meet her,” he said in a hoarse voice before his tears stopped.
“I will always say her name. Even though I'm emotional now, and crying now, whenever anyone 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 bouts.
On Saturday, the British and Commonwealth champion will box for the first time since her death when she fights Stead Woodall in Sheffield.
It is another occasion where she will be remembered. “I've got a nice tribute from my group for my next fight, a tribute to her,” Simpson said. “Barnsley Football Club gave her a minute of applause during the match immediately after she died.”
But he will also have to control his emotions when defending his titles. Birmingham's Woodall is a dangerous contender, having notched an impressive stoppage win over Leron Richards in his last fight. Richards is highly skilled, a shifty southpaw who is difficult to tag, and Wood stopped him over six rounds in June.
“Steed is the toughest fight in Britain for me and that's what I wanted,” Simpson said. Sky Sports.
“It should be a tough fight. This is what I wanted and this is what I got. I have trained hard and prepared well and I am 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 win over Zak Chealy for the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight titles in front of his home crowd at Oakwell Stadium.
Simpson is building a huge wave of support behind him. In his last fight he beat Zac Chely at the Oakwell Stadium in his hometown of Barnsley, with 7,000 supporters including his sister, cheering him on.
He wants to further develop his career, build on his passionate fan base and establish himself in the British boxing scene.
Simpson can then afford to lose to Woodall on Saturday. But to win, among the painful and exhilarating memories, he will need to keep his mind clear at least during the contest itself.
“I try not to bring emotions into the fight with me if I'm being honest. I had emotions before the fight and I'm sure there will be a lot after the fight. But between now and fight night, I don't let that happen. Emotions get in the way, get involved,” Simpson said.
“I try to keep myself calm and composed. So, if it's emotional after the win, it'll be emotional after the win, but during the fight and from now on, there won't be any emotions.”
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The best of the best from the British and Commonwealth super middleweight championship fight between Zak Chealy and Callum Simpson
Simpson firmly believes he can do it. “I think I've shown that I'm good at blocking out emotions and staying relaxed and being able to perform under pressure and under what most people would consider a lot of emotions,” he said.
“I think I'm good at doing that, and I think I proved that at Oakwell when I walked out in front of 7,000 people chanting my name. And when I did that circular driveway they were literally one foot away.
“I really feel like it's a gift. I don't get nervous when I fight. I don't feel any fear. All that fear is just fun. I would say I almost feel exhilarated.”
“I don't want to lie and say I'm nervous. Because I'm looking forward to fighting night. I'm enjoying it. I'm very grateful. This is what I've trained for since I was a nine-year-old boy.” .
“I believe in my abilities. I believe in my preparation. So what makes me nervous?”
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Callum Simpson speaks to Andy Clarke after his unanimous decision win over Zac Chely in front of his home crowd in Barnsley
Amid the storm of grief he has been experiencing since his sister's death, despite the intensity and chaos of the boxing bout, the fight will be a relief. As long as he boxed for Woodall, through the fury of competition, Simpson would be at peace.
“I think boxing helped me greatly. It gave me good focus and a good outlet for sadness and emotion as well,” he said.
“If it wasn't for all the interviews, I probably wouldn't have talked as much… Maybe it helped me.
“Now let's live this moment,” he added. “Get a good win on Saturday and then hopefully Oakwell will be sold in the summer.
“Years ago this was my dream, making headlines Sky Sports So I don't want to wish this weekend away and look far into the future.
“But I have big ambitions and big goals and Oakwell is one of them. But first, enjoy Saturday night. I have to feel that joy and live in the moment.”
Watch Callum Simpson defend his British and Commonwealth super-middleweight title against Stead Woodall on Saturday, live on Sky Sports from 7.30pm.
