Billam-Smith’s biggest supporter is his wife, Mia.
They met in a bar 10 years ago and were “pretty inseparable from the off”.
“I knew he’d achieve big things with his mindset. He’s like nobody I have ever met before,” Mia told BBC Sport.
“The pressure to perform is a lot for him. I feel that weight too as a wife and a parent, and worry about him and his health – that being said, he’s doing what he loves and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
“I have actually started seeing a therapist to help compartmentalise my fears and manage my emotions, especially around fight week, to stop myself getting too overwhelmed, it is a constant balancing act.”
Often during fights, Mia can be found sat with family at ringside, looking at the ground or away from the ring.
Through camp she looks after their young son in Bournemouth while Billam-Smith trains in London, the trio reuniting on weekends.
Mia has had some emotional moments with Chris after his bouts, but says being at ringside is like an “out of body experience”.
“Sometimes I scream and shout, sometimes I dance to music between rounds, often I’m crying with my head in my hands but I honestly am not present mentally,” she said.
“I will ask Chris’ brother what round we are on and if he’s OK, because for me that’s all I really care about.
“Hearing the final bell go and him being OK is a relief, his safety comes first and the win comes second.”
