Boxing
Ted Cheeseman: Fight with Sam Eggington 'wouldn't happen without lockdown'
Ted Cheeseman's 2019 did not go as well as he no doubt hoped it would between the ropes.
After a 15-0 start to life as a professional, the Londoner lost two and drew one of his three fights last year.
But ahead of his headlining title challenge of IBF International super-welterweight champion Sam Eggington at Matchroom Boxing's Fight Camp 1 card on Saturday, Cheeseman refused to look at the triple setback as anything but a valuable lesson.
"2019 was a great life experience for me," he told Matchroom. "A great boxing year for me. I learned a lot.
"When you start off, you don’t have loads of money, then you start earning quite a bit compared to what you’re used to. You’ll do whatever you can to make it happen as quick as you can make it happen, and that’s when your foot comes off the pedal. As much as I was gutted about my losses, I’ve just pushed on. It hasn’t dented my confidence. This year will be a massive year for me."
One would imagine that after those three disappointing outings, a months-long shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic would be going from bad to worse.
But the time off forced Cheeseman to face reality.
"I was fighting through niggles and stressed and I didn’t want to stop and deal with them, because I was enjoying the money," explained Cheeseman.
"I’m 24 and I should have taken a step back to heal my body.
A lot of fighters who go through what I’ve been through just give up, but I’m mentally strong and very determined. I’m feeling in the best physical shape I’ve ever been in."
Many have suggested it was the pandemic that brought these two together, at least as early as it has now been booked.
And the former British super-welter titleholder concurs.
"If this lockdown didn’t happen, I don’t think the fight would be happening. But the time is right, and it’s happening," he said. "We’re both heading in the same direction, and whoever wins pushes on. I just feel I’m the younger, fresher, more talented fighter. I think I’m hungrier than Sam, and I’m just all-around better. And that’s why I’ll win."
Matchroom Boxing's Fight Camp 1, headlined by Eggington vs Cheeseman, airs live on DAZN in the U.S. and Sky Sports in the UK on Aug. 1.
