Daily Echo columnist Chris Billam-Smith returns to his training camp on Monday and describes what it is like to work with world-renowned coach Shane McGuigan...

WE are nearly there.

People are returning to work, football is back soon and I’m back into camp as of Monday!

I travelled to Portsmouth a couple of times this past week to hit the pads with Josh Pritchard, Shane McGuigan’s assistant coach.

It was nice to get back and start working on things again, especially as I’m looking to be back in the ring late July early August, on a Matchroom Fight Camp show.

Monday will be interesting though. This is the longest time I’ve gone without doing pads with Shane since turning professional, so it’ll be interesting to see where I’m at.

Shane’s a perfectionist as a coach so there is no room for error, so I expect a frustrating first week back for both me and him.

It’s been three years since I joined the McGuigan stable and I am very fortunate to be trained by one of the world’s best coaches.

For those that don’t know, at only 31 years young, Shane has already trained three world champions and he is very highly regarded in the boxing world.

The way he does things is very precise but he knows how to adapt to each boxer’s style and strength.

Bournemouth Echo:

Outside of the gym though, we get along really well too.

He loves to wind people up and have a good laugh, which is important in such a gruelling sport. Other than our dreaded Wednesday circuits, I’m really excited to get back in the gym with him and the rest of the lads, so I can carry on the journey of winning titles and having fun.

A couple of questions have come in this week.

What would be your perfect ring walk? From George Thomas.

A question I’ve never been asked.

For me, the perfect ring walk would be having Kano perform my entrance tune live at Dean Court, as I ring walk for a world title fight.

It gives me goosebumps just writing that!

What is the best piece of advice you have ever had from your corner? From Archie Roe.

Firstly Archie, please send in your t-shirt size and I’ll send you a Team CBS t-shirt for all your great questions!

I think great advice becomes great advice when getting someone out of a crisis.

And as a professional, touch wood, I haven’t been in a huge crisis.

I remember as an amateur though, I was in the Elite Championship semi-finals against a very good lad from London who had stopped all of his opponents before he boxed me that year.

After clearly winning the first, I’d slowed down in the second and when I came back to my corner, my coach Neal Patridge gave me a stern word and kick up the backside which got me fired up for the final round.

I believe I spoke to the Echo about it after the fight back in April 2013.

Without that telling off, I would not have won.

Bournemouth Echo:

Thank you to all who continue to read these articles. It means a lot. If anyone would like to ask any questions for next week, please contact below.

Email: sport@bournemouthecho.co.uk

Instagram/Twitter: @ChrisBillam

Peace out,

CBS.