Chris Billam-Smith is modest enough to admit that boxing legend Barry McGuigan will not even remember the first time they ever met. But now, over a decade on, the pair could not be much closer.
For those wondering, Billam-Smith and McGuigan first crossed paths when Floyd Mayweather put on a masterclass to outpoint Canelo Alvarez in Las Vegas in 2013. The conversation was not particularly noteworthy, but has ultimately proved to be the start of a blossoming relationship.
Four years later, Billam-Smith turned professional with Barry’s son, Shane, in his corner, while the Irish icon watched on from ringside.
Barry has been by Billam-Smith’s side every step of the way since, including for his crowning moment when he became world champion in his hometown of Bournemouth by beating fellow Brit Lawrence Okolie in May 2023.
Almost 40 years earlier, Barry famously became the best featherweight on the planet when he beat Eusebio Pedroza in June 1985, with 20 million fans from both sides of Ireland tuning in to cheer him on, and Billam-Smith credits the 63-year-old with inspiring him to follow in his footsteps.
Reflecting on the influence Barry has had on his own career, Billam-Smith told Mail Sport: ‘He has a huge impact on the gym because of what he’s achieved, which is monumental, and how he’s carried himself. That’s the standard that’s been set in the gym. We all look up to Barry.
Chris Billam-Smith (second right) is trained by Shane McGuigan (centre) and has had Barry McGuigan (second left) on hand to advise him throughout his career
Barry was not at ringside for Billam-Smith’s latest fight as he was on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! but Billam-Smith insists he is indebted to the Irish boxing icon
Billam-Smith lost his cruiserweight world title against Gilberto Ramirez in Saudi Arabia, but wants to get back in the mix at the top level
‘The beauty of having Barry in the gym is you’re never going to out-achieve Barry no matter what you do in the sport. And then after achieving all that, and what he’s done and how many people love Barry, it’s amazing how well he holds himself. He’s still very, very humble, but still very driven at the same time.
‘Barry’s always there on sparring days. I’d say Barry’s much more of that father figure and it’s great to have him around. He’s a real inspiration.’
Billam-Smith had the unusual experience of not having Barry at ringside for his latest world title fight last month after he opted to appear on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! instead.
Barry lasted over two weeks in the jungle before being the fifth celebrity to be voted out on Thursday night. Billam-Smith was a keen observer, and gave a glowing review of his mentor’s journey Down Under.
‘I thought he was great,’ Billam-Smith said. ‘It took a while for him to settle in from what we got shown. In terms of knowing Barry, he didn’t seem as confident as he is in a gym environment where he can go around talking to everyone and starting conversations, but he was great.
‘He’s a very funny guy and I’m really glad that he got to show his singing skills as well!’
It was not all smiles for Barry in the jungle, though, as he bravely opened up about the tragic passing of his daughter, Danika, back in 2019.
Danika tragically died after a battle with bowel cancer at the age of 33 just days after Billam-Smith suffered the first loss of his career against domestic foe Richard Riakporhe.
Billam-Smith was deep into training camp as Danika fell ill and is fully aware of the impact her death had on Barry and his family. The Bournemouth boxer said he was proud of Barry for speaking so openly about his loss, and praised Barry’s campmates for rallying around to comfort him.
Barry’s daughter, Danika (left), tragically passed away in 2019. Barry opened up about her death in the jungle, and Billam-Smith praised his bravery
Barry also showed off his singing skills and humour in the jungle, much to Billam-Smith’s delight
‘It was a horrific time. I was very close to the family during that time,’ Billam-Smith recalled.
‘After she passed, seeing what they were all going through, it was horrendous. Seeing Barry open up about it in the jungle brought a tear to my eye and everyone was really good with him in there and it was nice to see that.
‘I know he’s so used to having people around him when he opens up about it, his family that are close to him, so it was good that he had the support of everyone in there.’
With Barry fighting off insects across the other side of the world, Billam-Smith stepped through the ropes for his cruiserweight unification fight with Gilberto Ramirez in Saudi Arabia last month, but came up short.
He was on the wrong end of a unanimous decision, and Barry was informed of the result while he was in the jungle.
Billam-Smith insists Barry’s absence had ‘no bearing’ on the result, and has no intention of dwelling on the past.
He was left with multiple injuries after a punishing fight, but has already returned to the gym and is adamant that the fire is still burning inside him to climb to the top of the mountain once more.
Despite headlining in his hometown and winning stadium fights during his remarkable rise, Billam-Smith is keen to prove that he has more to offer and has set his sights on becoming a two-time world champion.
Billam-Smith suffered multiple injuries in his punishing fight with Ramirez but is back in the gym
He insists he is motivated to bounce back and become a two-time world champion
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‘I feel like I learned so much in that fight (against Ramirez) and areas that I’ve got to improve on,’ Billam-Smith explained. ‘I feel that’s motivation in itself.
‘But also the motivation is I don’t want to just quit after a loss because I put so much into the fight itself and the camp. I want to show any kids or people following me that just because it’s a defeat on the record, it’s not a loss in terms of opportunity. You’ve got to bounce back and life has its ups and downs so I think that’s the mindset and I feel very motivated now.
‘I always thought beforehand that being a two-time world champion is a weird thing because most of the time it means you’ve lost to get to that stage and it’s never a nice feeling to lose. But now I see the effort needed to become a two-time world champion, get back on the horse, it’s a huge challenge.
‘And that is the motivation, getting back to becoming a world champion again. That’s a huge motivating factor for me, showing that you can bounce back and do it all again.’
