“People die when you forget them. Or 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 died tragically young in a holiday accident. She was only 19 years old.
The sadness of that recent loss is raw, unmistakable in the British champion's eyes as he remembers it.
“Knowing that she won't be a bridesmaid in my wedding and knowing that she won't be my children's aunt and that they won't meet her,” he said hoarsely before tears stopped him.
“I will always say her name. Even though I'm emotional now, I'm 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.
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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 from their next fights
On Saturday, the British and Commonwealth champion will box for the first time since her death when she fights Steed Woodall in Sheffield.
It's another occasion where she will be remembered. “I have a nice tribute on my shirt for my next fight, a tribute to her. Barnsley Football Club did a minute's applause for her during the game immediately after she passed away,” said Simpson.
But he will also have to control his emotions when boxing to defend his title. Woodall from Birmingham is a dangerous challenger, coming off a stunning win over Lerrone Richards in his last fight. Richards is a very skilled, tricky southpaw, difficult to mark, who was stopped by Wood in 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 have. I trained hard, I prepared very 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 home fans at Oakwell Stadium
Simpson is creating a flood of support behind him. In his last fight, he defeated Zak Chelli at the Oakwell Stadium in his home town of Barnsley, with 7,000 fans, 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 in order to win, among painful and joyful memories, he will have to keep a clear mind at least during the competition itself.
“I try not to let my emotions get in the way of me, to be honest. I had emotions before the fight and I'm sure there will be a lot after. But from now until fight night, I don't let emotions get in the way, get involved,” Simpson said. .
“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 emotion.”
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Best of the action from the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight title fight between Zac Chelli and Callum Simpson
Simpson firmly believes he can. “I think I've shown that I'm good at blocking out emotions and relaxing 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 it, I think I proved that at Oakwell when I went out in front of 7,000 people shouting my name. When I made that walk, they were literally a meter away.
“I honestly feel like a gift. I don't get upset about fights. I don't feel any fear. All that 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 enjoy it. I am so grateful. It's 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 why am I nervous?”
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Callum Simpson talks to Andy Clarke after his unanimous decision win against Zak Chelli in front of the home crowd in Barnsley
Amid 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's boxing Woodall, during the fury of the contest, Simpson will be calm.
“I think boxing has helped a lot. It's given me a good focus and a good outlet as well for sadness 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.
“Let's live in the moment now,” he added. “Get a good win on Saturday and then hopefully we'll sell out Oakwell in the summer.
“Many years ago this would have been my dream, in the title 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 get 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.