Charlie Edwards is delighted after his impressive professional debut win at the O2 Arena on Saturday night.
The Croydon flyweight stopped Craig Derbyshire in the fourth and final round of their contest having dominated the earlier rounds.
The 21-year-old told South West Londoner he is still reeling from the excitement of boxing as a professional for the first time.
“I’m over the moon, still buzzing today!” he said. I didn’t even get a lie in this morning, I was up at seven because I couldn’t sleep, still excited.
“It was electrifying, the ring walk didn’t even feel real – it felt like a dream.”
Edwards signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing in December after a successful amateur career which saw him win a European bronze medal.
Now the former GB Boxing podium squad member is preferring life in the paid ranks.
“It’s so much better than the amateur days,” he said.
“It was my first fight and already I can’t wait to get into my next one, it’s such a buzz.”
Well done @cedwardsboxing winning in the 4th round at #TheO2 #CaptialPunishment https://t.co/z5m7m9rGKW
— The O2 (@TheO2) January 31, 2015
Edwards admitted he felt under pressure to perform well after the media coverage of his signing to Matchroom, but insisted it did not make him nervous.
He explained: “I wasn’t really that nervous, I was more anxious and just wanted to get in there and do it.
“I felt the pressure from the hype in the media, I felt like I had to perform but I did just that I think.”
Edwards also revealed how some advice from his father helped prepare him for issues like the one he faced when his original opponent withdrew a week before the fight.
He said: “When my opponent was first announced we looked him up on YouTube and my dad said ‘don’t take that as read, the pro game is funny – people pull out all the time’.
“It wasn’t an issue – we were focusing more on my boxing in training anyway.”
Edwards feels his impressive performance will have made other flyweights, such as British and European champion Kevin Satchell, sit up and take notice.
He said: “I feel like I sent out a message to other professionals at my weight that I’m here to go all the way.
“I don’t plan at staying at flyweight forever so the quicker I can get through the division and get a domestic title fight the better.”
Edwards will take a short break until Thursday when he will begin training for his next fight on March 28 on the undercard of Kell Brook’s world title defence in Sheffield.
From there he is looking forward to taking part in longer fights in which he feels he can perform to an even higher standard.
“I did the four rounds with ease, and I got the stoppage late,” he said.
“I can’t wait for the longer fights and that’s when I think my best will come out.”
