CRUISERWEIGHT Chris Billam-Smith revealed he almost quit the sport when competing in the amateur ranks.

The 27-year-old’s life changed in September when he was signed by Barry McGuigan’s Cyclone Promotions stable and began training professionally under the watchful eye of coach Shane McGuigan.

Nicknamed ‘The Gentleman’, the Bournemouth boxer tomorrow bids to extend to six fights his perfect professional record.

He is set to headline Steve Bendall’s ‘The Dawning’ show at the O2 Academy against Slovakian puncher Michal Plesnik.

But a shoulder problem which required surgery two-and-a-half years ago put Billam-Smith on the brink of giving up his dream.

He told the Daily Echo: “There was a stage where I almost quit because of my injuries so, to finally be in the situation I am, is a great feeling.

“After my shoulder surgery, it still wasn't 100 per cent. I had a fight and was sparring badly in the amateurs.

“Your mind plays games with you and the sport is down to belief. You have to believe and that's the main thing – if you don't have that, you will never achieve anything.

“People who are in the sport know how hard it can be at times. It can be really daunting when you are having a bit of a bad time training. It eats away at you.

“It's just a sport but when you commit to being an athlete, it becomes more than that. Don't get me wrong, there are worse things going on in the world and worse things can happen to you but it just consumes you.

“I've seen lads who are great boxers but they can't perform in the ring or, mentally, they just beat themselves up too much.

“It's a case of overcoming those things and not giving up, which has now paid off for me.”

Based in London from Monday to Friday, Cherries fan Billam-Smith travels back at weekends to spend time with partner Mia at their home in Winton.

He added: “My girlfriend probably gets more nervous on fight week than I do. I just get hungry because I am making weight!

“I am very fortunate to have a very good support network around me with a close family. You also need a woman who understands boxing and I am very lucky to have the girl I do.

“She not only understands it but enjoys it. She helps me, sells my tickets and does a lot for me so I owe her a lot.

“We were together for a year before she even saw me box. I got injured and, about four months into our relationship, I had the shoulder surgery.

“With the amount of stuff which goes on in your head in the sport, it's nice just to have someone to talk to, either on the phone or in person.

“It's really nice the journey we have both been on. She has been there through thick and thin. Having someone there is important in boxing because it can be a lonely sport.

"I'm fortunate enough to have Mia, my mum Carol and the rest of the family there for me. You need those sort of people in your life to be able to reach the top.”