“People die when you forget about them. Or you stop talking about them. I will never stop talking about him.”
Callum Simpson’s voice cracks as he remembers his sister.
Lily-Rae Simpson died tragically young in an accident while on vacation. She was just 19 years old.
The grief of that latest loss is raw, unmistakable in the British champion’s eyes as she remembers him.
“Knowing that she’s not going to be a bridesmaid in my wedding and knowing that she’s not going to be my children’s aunt and they’re not going to meet her,” she said in a hoarse voice before tears broke down.
“I’ll always say her name. Even though I’m emotional now, I cry when someone says her name or talks about her, I smile and laugh, I’m just proud that she’s my sister,” she said. Sky Sports.
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Callum Simpson and Mark Jeffers have discussed whether they will fight each other in the future, provided they both emerge victorious in their next fights.
The British and Commonwealth champion will box for the first time since her death on Saturday when she fights Steed Woodall in Sheffield.
This is another occasion where he will be remembered. “I paid a nice tribute to him in my next fight. Barnsley Football Club gave him a minute’s ovation during the game just after he died.” Simpson said.
But he’ll also have to keep his emotions in check as he boxes to defend his titles. Birmingham’s Woodall is a dangerous opponent, coming off a stunning win over Leron Richards. Richards is a very skilled southpaw Wood stopped June in six rounds.
“Steed is the toughest fight for me in Britain and that’s what I wanted,” Simpson said. Sky Sports.
“It should be a tough fight. That’s what I wanted and that’s what I got. I’ve trained really hard 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 reflected on his emotional win over Zac Chelly for the British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles in front of his home fans at Oakwell Stadium.
Simpson is building a groundswell of support behind him.In his last fight, he beat Zac Chelly at the Oakwell Stadium in his hometown of Barnsley, where 7,000 supporters, including his sister, cheered him on.
He wants to continue to develop his career by building on his passionate fan base and establishing himself in the British boxing scene.
Simpson can’t afford to lose to Woodall on Saturday, but to win, he’ll have to keep his mind clear, at least during the contest itself.
“I try not to bring emotions into the fight, to be honest. I had emotions before the fight, and I’m sure there will be a lot after. But between now and the night of the fight, I don’t let it. emotions get in the way, get involved,” Simpson said.
“I’m trying to keep a cool head. So if it’s emotional after, it’s going to be emotional after I win, but there’s no emotion during the fight and beyond.”
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Best action from the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight fight between Zac Chelly and Callum Simpson
“I think I’ve shown that I’m good at keeping my emotions in check and being able to perform under pressure and what most people would perceive as a lot of emotion,” he said. :
“I think I’m doing well, I think I proved that at Oakwell when I went out to 7,000 people screaming my name. When I did that tour, they were literally a foot away.
“I honestly feel like it’s a gift. I don’t feel scared. It’s just euphoric I would say.
“I don’t want to lie and say I’m looking forward to the fight. I’ve been training for it since I was nine years old.
“I believe in my ability, I believe in my preparation. So why am I nervous?”
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Callum Simpson speaks to Andy Clarke after his unanimous decision win over Zac Chelly in front of his home crowd in Barnsley.
In the storm of grief he is experiencing after his sister’s death, despite the intensity and turmoil of boxing, the fight will be a relief. As long as he is boxing Woodall, Simpson will be at peace during the frenzy of the contest.
“I think boxing helped a lot. It gave me a good focus and a good outlet for grief and emotions,” he said.
“If it wasn’t for all the interviews, maybe I wouldn’t have opened up so much… Maybe that helped me.
“Now let’s live in the moment,” he added. “Get a good win on Saturday and hopefully Oakwell will be sold out in the summer.
“Years ago, this would have been my dream, a title Sky Sports so I don’t want to leave 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 night. I’m getting 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.
