CHRIS BILLAM–SMITH believes that leaving Frank, his baby, for training camp is more difficult than the other terrible sacrifices he made during his boxing career.
On Saturday, Isaac Chamberlain, a 31-year-old Bournemouth Cruiserweight, will be facing him in a Battle on the Beach at his local International Centre arena.
CBS is the European/Commonwealth cruiserweight champion
He has been training up in East London and is now working at Shane McGuigan’s Leyton gym away from Mia, his nine-week-old son.
The 15-1 Ace, also known as "The Gentleman", believes that the weeks away will be more difficult than any sparring session or early-morning run. He has never had to face defeat, depressing diet, or even a depressing diet.
SunSport: "I had to drag myself away from Monday to Friday in order to train and it's been really difficult," he said.
"Because he's so young, it feels like he's a new baby every time I return home. He has grown and changed so much.
People talk about boxing as the ultimate sport that requires sacrifices, strict lifestyles, weight loss, and punishing your body. But all these things seem like nothing compared to the time I've lost from my child and wife.
"It feels like a big sacrifice. It hurts, but it is also a sign that I am giving everything to camp, because it would not be worth it if it wasn't for improving the ring and then helping them improve their lives by winning on Saturday."
CBS, aka The Gentleman, is a star trainee of Shane McGuigan
CBS pulled sickies to watch his indie icons perform at his local BIC arena. He knows that he has big desert boots.
To get tickets to an Arctic Monkeys concert in 2006, the European and Commonwealth champion lied. He then waited overnight to see Oasis two year later.
His name is now on the poster, up against the Brixton 28 year-old. The memories of his schoolboy antics around this venue are flooding back.
SunSport reported that he and his friends waited outside the BIC overnight for Oasis tickets to go on sale. "We were the second in line and went both nights.
"I used to swim there as a child, but my first gig was with the Arctic Monkeys while they were touring their first record.
"But I was still at school, and my mom wouldn't allow me to leave early to get tickets. So I got another relative to act in my place and call the school to grant me permission to return home early with a fake sickness. I got a bus right down there to get in line.
The VIP section will feature Bournemouth's past and present players, such as Aaron Ramsdale, ex-goakeeper and Sandbanks resident Harry Redknapp.
CBS chuckled, "I didn’t know Harry was coming as a guest but that will be amazing,"
"All the tickets were purchased online, so I didn't have to do any extra work.
"The town has shown tremendous support, I've seen old friends from school for many years, and I'm gratified that I don't have too many people cheering me down."
