Editor’s note: This article was originally posted on DAZN.com.
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Matchroom Boxing’s Fight Camp 1 on Saturday gives boxing fans an unexpected treat in the form of Sam Eggington vs. Ted Cheeseman.
Eggington and Cheeseman, both of whom have had their ups and downs in recent years, would’ve been given a few more fights before crossing paths under normal circumstances. However, promoter Eddie Hearn needed a compelling matchup for his first Fight Camp show and here we are.
The card will be take place in the garden of Hearn’s Matchroom Sport offices outside London.
While introducing the main-eventers during the final press conference, Hearn said: “This one will be in full darkness with house lighting, maybe a bit of London backdrop and who knows? Maybe some fireworks and a little ‘Sweet Caroline’ before the ring walks.”
Eggington (28-6, 17 KOs) has had some success of late, winning four in a row, including a second-round TKO over Orlando Fiordigiglio this past September in Florence, Italy.
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“Italy was a great adventure for me,” he said. “I went over there with a chip on my shoulder, knowing I needed to do it right and get back where I needed to be.
“When I heard about these back garden brawls, I got on the phone to Eddie and wanted to be involved ASAP. It’s a fight I can win and one I can look good in.”
Eggington also feels both he and his opponent’s brushes with adversity between the ropes is what led to them being so eager to fast-track this showdown.
“I think a lot of people put a lot into a loss, he said. “You can come back from one or you can pack it in and do something else. We’ve had good nights and bad nights but the defeats don’t define who I am.
“I’m getting better, I’m getting stronger. Training’s gone well and Saturday should be a good night.”
Londoner Cheeseman (15-2-1, 9 KOs) is confident he has what is needed to beat Eggington and end his winless streak at three fights, which made his 2019 as frustrating as 2020 has been for almost the entire boxing community.
“You look at Sam and you know what you get with him,” Cheeseman said. “And often you know what you get with me. But whatever will give me the best chance of winning Saturday, that’s how I’ll box.
“What people don’t realize is I may be young — I’m 24 — but I’m maturing beyond my years. I’ve been working on a lot of things and making sure it’s all perfect. I’m a man now. Sam was a massive welter but he’s not as strong at light middle.
“Everyone’s saying how fighting in the back garden will be weird. But for me it’s ideal. In lockdown, I’ve had no distractions. I’m usually running around like a lunatic in the run-up to a fight night, but I’m focused here. I’m very determined to get the win.”
What this fight means to Hearn as he prepares to lead his Matchroom stable into the wilderness of his own back garden was evident as he wrapped up the presser.
“Thank you, both of you, for taking this fight,” he told Eggington and Cheeseman. “It’s hard making fights like this with two people we care about, but this should be a cracking main event.”
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.
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