IT is not often that a fighter, typically parading around with an almost bullet-proof exterior, will reveal a chink in their armour.
Understandably, they are more likely to remain robust, or perhaps even stoic, whenever a microphone is shoved under their nose.
But while, that way, it is easier to maintain a mask – carefully constructed to conceal human emotion – a fighter’s approach to the media, at times, can provide a far less authentic reflection of their character.
Without wishing to paper over the cracks, Chris Billam-Smith chose not to hide his true feelings but instead offered a brief insight into the mentality of a fighter – often strong, yet sometimes fragile – shortly after his last outing.
It was in an interview with Boxing News, in fact, when the family man let out an outpouring of emotion following his points victory over Brandon Glanton.
The separation from his wife, Mia, and his son, Frank, had simply taken its toll, making his training camp – designed to test his mental fortitude – that much harder to overcome in April.
But since then, Billam-Smith, 21-2 (13 KOs), has developed a far more optimistic outlook, firmly believing that his preparation no longer needs to be defined by complete isolation.
“It’s become near impossible to deal with, to be honest with you,” the Bournemouth man told Boxing News, reflecting on his training in London. “It’s just been a necessary evil.
“Last week, I took my little man up [to the gym] with me for a couple of days, just to trial that out before my next camp starts. But yeah, mentally and emotionally, it’s been really difficult for me.
“Nothing gives me greater joy than spending time with [his family]. My wife’s also pregnant with our second [son]; we’ve got another boy on the way in September, so that’ll make it even harder for me the next time around.
“But if I can take the little man [Frank] away with me for a couple of days a week, and then knuckle down for the last six weeks [of camp] – having him up for just a day, here and there – then maybe I can get the best of both worlds.”
Having already made the necessary sacrifices to reach the pinnacle of his sport, the former world champion now chooses to view his craft through a slightly different lens.
While remaining fiercely passionate about boxing, ‘The Gentleman’ equally acknowledges that, now more than ever, it is important to prioritise the time he spends with his family.
“These years of a child’s life are the most exciting,” he said. “So many first things happen, whether it’s their first football session, their first steps – which I missed – or their first words.
“So I’m proud of myself for getting through that last camp, and coming through [the fight] with a clear victory. It wasn’t a great camp at all, and my head was never really in it, but this break that I’ve just had has done me a world of good.
“Now, I can go into my next camp feeling fresh, and learn to love my training again, which is something that I didn’t feel in my last camp – not because of the training itself, but just because of where I was mentally.”
For Billam-Smith, anything less than a world title shot, at this stage in his career, is hardly worth considering.
But above all else, a possible opportunity to exact his revenge on unified cruiserweight champion Gilberto Ramirez, who outpointed him last November, remains at the forefront of his mind.
“I can’t see there being a better opportunity than a world title shot, so that’s all I’m looking for at the moment,” Billam-Smith insisted. “If I have to wait, then I’ll wait.
“I’m number one with the WBO, so I’d love a rematch with ‘Zurdo.’ He’s a great fighter, and it was a nice consistent win for him [against Yuniel Dorticos] last weekend.
“I appreciate that we’ve only had one fight each since [November], and I’m sure that he’s going to want to become the undisputed champion [against IBF world champion Jai Opetaia], but I’d love to avenge yet another loss on my record. We’ll have to see how it all unfolds.”
