SIX months ago, Chris Billam-Smith thought he would this week be walking down the aisle to tie the knot with fiancée Mia in Italy.

In contrast, he is now prepared to step into Eddie Hearn’s back garden and get in the ring for his first Commonwealth title defence in front of no fans.

The former Poole ABC man’s bizarre period of forced inactivity has, of course, been due to the coronavirus pandemic.

That was summed up this week when he was left sat alone in a hotel room in Essex waiting for his COVID-19 test result, microwaving his own meals in preparation for his bout against Nathan Thorley tomorrow.

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The Gentleman joked: “It was my 30th birthday on Sunday. It was exactly how I wanted to spend the first days of my 30s – in a hotel room on my own!

“So far, being 30 is not all it’s cracked up to be. I’m hoping it will be better on Friday.

“We are in a Holiday Inn down the road.

“I brought all sorts. I brought a fridge, a microwave, all my food, my PS4. All my stuff for fight week, there was a lot of stuff.

“There’s a few tips and tricks you learn from week one and things you see online. Someone stuck up the menu for the dinners last week in the hotel.

“I couldn’t eat any of that on fight week, so I had to bring my own food and I am well prepared. I have got plenty water and making sure everything is all in place.

“I don’t have a microwave at home, so I had to go out and buy one. I borrowed a fridge off a friend who runs a pop-up bar company.

“We waited until we were up here to get the microwave because there was no room in the car. As I got out, I had two microwaves on my lap. Nothing else was getting in there – it was quite a spectacle.

“Because of the implications of not being allowed out - I can’t just pop down to a Tesco or anything like that - I had to prepare as diligently as I could.”

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There was, however, one item the Shane McGuigan-trained star was unable to pack, as he looked to kill some downtime.

“I bought myself a guitar – it would have been 12 years ago now,” he explained.

“I taught myself bits and pieces but I am far from a decent player. I play a few tunes, the standard Oasis songs, a bit of The Beatles and bits and pieces.

“Mia bought me (a new) one for this birthday. It’s personalised and has ‘The Gentleman’ written on the neck – it’s really cool.

“I was debating bringing it to Fight Camp but there was no room. I can play Live Forever by Oasis. That’s about as far as my musical ability goes, but I can’t sing!”

While the title defence comes in unique circumstances, Billam-Smith is eager to make the most of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity given to him by Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn.

Never before and probably never again will fighters get to compete in a promotion’s back garden, with the Dorset puncher keen to stay upbeat.

He said: “We were meant to fly to Italy this week to get married.

“But, look, there’s people that are a lot worse off and in a lot worse situations.

“There’s more important things in the world going on than this being what would have been my wedding week.

“You have to look at the positives. Although the wedding has been postponed, I am still getting the opportunity to fight on the shows where hundred of boxers aren’t.

“It could have been a lot worse – it’s just we miss out on a few luxuries.

“I am gutted that Mia can’t be here because she absolutely loves it. She wouldn’t miss a fight for the world but, unfortunately, it’s out of our hands.

“She has plans to go and watch it. She will be with my mum and my family who always come and watch me as well.”

Asked about the spectacle of the event, Billam-Smith said: “What they have done is amazing, the setup considering the implications they’ve had and what they’ve overcome - I think it’s wicked.

“The whole setup looks really cool and I can’t wait to get in there.

“There will be no fireworks for me unfortunately because it’s only for the main event – but I will just have to make my own fireworks.”

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Challenger Thorley, nicknamed Thunder, comes into the contest as a former Commonwealth Games bronze medallist.

Since stepping up into the professional ranks, he is unbeaten in 14 contests, with six successes coming inside the scheduled distance.

The Cardiff puncher, who has sparred with Enzo Maccarinelli ahead of the contest, has vowed to take the title back to Wales.

But Billam-Smith, who has put the rounds in sparring stablemate Lawrence Okolie ahead of the bout, believes he is fully prepared for a successful defence.

“He looks like he’s got quick hands,” said The Gentleman.

“I expect him to be a decent enough puncher at this weight because he’s moved up from light heavyweight.

“He would have put on a bit of size and strength. I expect him to be awkward early on and be hard to nail.

“But I have had good sparring in this camp with Lawrence Okolie – he is awkward, tall and strong as well.

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“With everything that is going on, other sparring was hard to come by. Lawrence was fit, strong and sharp and I was very lucky to have that.

“With the calibre he’s at – he’s at world level now – is world class and I’ve got that sparring in my gym. I am pretty confident in myself and my ability to adapt to different styles.”

(Pictures: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)