Ted Cheeseman vs Carson Jones: The unbeaten Brit knows he has to take risks as he chases dream showdown with Amir Khan
Rising star - known as the Big Cheese - is taking a step up in class against experienced American at The O2
TED CHEESEMAN is eyeing a future showdown with Matchroom stablemate Amir Khan as he aims to prove his world title credentials tomorrow.
The undefeated Brit is making a step up in class to fight 57-fight veteran Carson Jones on the Lawrence Okolie-Isaac Chamberlain undercard.
But the Big Cheese insists it is time to make the jump, with the WBA International super welterweight title on the line against a man who took Kell Brook to a split decision.
Bermondsey-born Cheeseman, 22, said: “It’s only my 13th fight and I’m fighting Carson Jones for the WBA international title
“I’m on a route that’s going to push me. When you turn pro every boxer’s ambition it to become a world champion.
“It’s a business as well as a sport. The longer you’re undefeated the more you’re sellable.
“But you have to weigh up the risk when a big fight comes up and in my eyes I don’t even feel like I’m taking one. I’m 90 per cent sure I’m going to win.
“If I do, I’ll be in the top 15 of the world rankings. That means every time the world champion does a voluntary defence they can pick me and my dream can come true.”
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Tomorrow’s rival Jones has fought the likes of Brook and former three-weight champ Antonio Margarito in the past.
The experienced fighter, 31, has vowed to knock out Cheeseman, who is hoping to put on a show to attract American fans.
He added: “Eddie’s got the promotional deals in America and if we beat American fighters there are going to be others who want to fight us.
“That gives us the opportunities of getting the fights out in The States.
Ted Cheeseman is being trained by Tony Sims
“I want to impress in every fight but this fight is more important because I’m in the limelight a bit more so I want to go out and make a statement about how good I am.
“I always train hard but this fight I have the bit in my teeth, I know I need to push and make sure there are no days where I’m lacking.
“I can’t wait. He’s a good opponent but I think everybody has their time and he’s getting on and this is the perfect time to fight him.
“Honestly, I think it’s the perfect fight for me he’s getting older and he’ll be getting slower.”
Cheeseman has opted to move up from British level as he chases a WBA ranking.
But with the likes of Khan, Brook and Sam Eggington all flying the flag, options for a homegrown showdown could be in the pipeline.
Asked about his local rivals, Cheeseman – boasting eight KOs from 12 bouts – explained: “Eggerton just moved up to my weight and I think at some stage this year as long as we both keep winning we will meet each other.
“Obviously you’ve got the likes of Brook and Khan – hopefully in the future if we’re doing well it’s a massive British fight. You’ve got to hope for that or there’s no point.”
Khan recently buried the hatchet with Eddie Hearn to join the Matchroom stable behind Anthony Joshua’s meteoric rise.
And Cheeseman – also represented by Hearn – reckons having so much talent under one roof makes them boxing’s answer to football giants.
He added: “We’re sort of the Barcelona or Real Madrid of boxing.
“Anybody who is any good is at this gym. You’ve got gyms up north like the Gallagher brothers’ gym which has some good fighters.
“But this one in the south of England is the best and we’re producing champions all the time.
“All the big names, it’s good for us because the more big names we’ve got, the more Sky are going to invest and that’s helping us up and coming fighters.
“Everyone is pushing each other and that’s why we’re getting these results because we all want to do better than each other.”