Ted Cheesemans 2019 was not going as well as he had hoped it would be between the ropes.
After a 15-0 start as a professional, the Londoner lost two and fought one of his three fights last year.
But before Cheeseman won the title of Super Welterweight Champion Sam Eggington of IBF International as headliner on Matchroom Boxing’s Fight Camp 1 card on Saturday, he refused to view the triple setback as anything but a valuable lesson.
“2019 was a great life experience for me,” he told Matchroom’s YouTube channel. “A great boxing year for me. I’ve learned a lot.
“If you start out, you don’t have a lot of money, then you will earn a lot compared to what you are used to. You will do everything possible to achieve this as quickly as possible. And then your foot will come off the pedal. So much for me Disappointed with my losses, I just developed. It didn’t affect my confidence. This year will be a huge one for me. “
One could imagine that after these three disappointing trips, a month-long shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic will only get worse.
But free time forced Ted to face reality.
“I struggled through little things and was stressed, and I didn’t want to stop and deal with them because I enjoyed the money,” Cheeseman said.
“I’m 24 and should have taken a step back to heal my body.
Many fighters who go through what I’ve been through just give up, but I’m mentally strong and very determined. I feel in the best physical shape I’ve ever been in. “
Many have suggested that it was the pandemic that brought these two together, at least as early as it was booked now.
And the former British Super Welter defending champion agrees.
“If this lock hadn’t taken place, the fight would probably not have taken place, but the time is right and it happens,” he said. “We both go in the same direction, and whoever wins goes on. I just feel like a younger, fresher and more talented fighter. I think I’m hungrier than Sam and I’m just better all round.” And that’s why I’m going to win. “
Matchroom Boxing’s Fight Camp 1, led by Eggington vs. Cheeseman, will air live on August 1 on DAZN in the US and Sky Sports in the UK.
