Debut Corner with Bermondsey boxer Ted Cheeseman
A product of the famous Fisher Amateur Boxing Club in South London, Ted Cheeseman is now signed to another great outfit in Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing. Making his pro bow live on Sky Sports on the undercard of Anthony Joshua's Commonwealth title bid against unbeaten Scot Gary Cornish at the O2 Arena in the country's capital city, the Bermondsey boxer took some time out to talk to BBN and here's what he had to say…
What made you want to start boxing? "One of my mates asked me to go to the boxing gym with him and I haven't looked back since that day."
Who was your boxing hero growing up and why? "Ricky Hatton because he was just exciting to watch and was always a fan-favourite."
How old were you when you had your first fight and how did you do? "I was 12 and I won on points and it was only five months after I started boxing."
How well did you do in the amateurs? "I had 61 fights and won 50. I won six national titles – 3x junior ABA's, 2x GB Golds and 1x CYP championships. I boxed for England 10 times winning eight of them and I also reached the youth world championship quarter-finals boxing four times in five days losing to the silver medalist Mexican Raul Curiel. Also in 2013/2014 I was voted best London senior amateur boxer."
What made you decide to turn pro? "I wanted to go to the Olympics in 2016 and I would of been 21-years-old by then and it would have been a good age to of gone to the Olympics and then turned over to the professionals but I never managed to get my chance on the Team GB squad and there's no point waiting around forever. You see some fighters if they stick around in the amatuers too long they just can't adapt to the pro game."
Ted Cheeseman defeats Carson Jones
What team do you have around you? "Tony Sims is my manager/trainer, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing is my promoter, my uncle Jamie Cheeseman is my strength and conditioning coach and he also helps with my nutrition."
What sort of fighting style do you have? "I can box and I can fight but I think I prefer coming forward and putting the pressure on."
What ambitions do you have for your pro career? "I want to go all the way and be a world champion and I've got the right team around me to put me on the route. I just need to work hard and have that bit of luck."
When is your first fight and who will be there in support? "My first fight is September the 12th at the O2 Arena and so far I have sold nearly 280 tickets with all my family and people from Bermondsey and Millwall football fans getting behind me to start my journey off as a pro. Thanks all my sponsors for their support – Downwell demolition, Ringside, Whites, Danny Cox Ltd. and Nicky Mayne Ltd. – thanks a lot!"
Tell us something that not many people know about you? "I don't no what I can tell you because everyone who knows me knows everything! Maybe that I would fight anyone, I don't have fear of boxing anyone."
For tickets to the debut fight please call: 07534 484 065 Follow me on Twitter @ted_mrfisher_