Watkins vs Okolie: Ted Cheeseman to face Paul Upton at York Hall
Monday 14 May 2018 15:09, UK
Ted Cheeseman and Paul Upton will put their unbeaten records on the line in a domestic super-welterweight clash at York Hall on June 6.
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Cheeseman returns to the ring, fresh from his dominant win over Carson Jones, to defend his WBA International title against Upton - one of three fighting brothers - who has 15 wins from as many fights.
The contest is another addition to a stacked card that will hit London's iconic venue where Lawrence Okolie will headline as he looks to claim his first major title in the paid ranks, live on Sky Sports.
"There's a lot of big fights out there and it's all about risk and reward," said Cheeseman. "I've got a great team around me and I know that they'll make the right decisions, I'm 22, I've got to walk before I can run but obviously I am going to grab every opportunity put in front of me.
"Paul is an unbeaten fighter and this is a massive chance for him, but I am on a high right now and I want to carry that on.
"The Jones fight was a career-changer for me. I had to be switched on and I knew that beating him would bring bigger fighters and more opportunities. I took risks against him because boxing is an entertainment business and that's what I want to do, I want to get the fans behind me and become a household name.
"Everyone who fights Carson has a tough time with him the first time they fight so I knew what I had to do. I could have made it easier but Carson was the perfect opponent to show that I am tough, I can take a shot and I can rough it with the best. I showed everything against him and felt really good and I think it was a class performance.
"I outmanned the man. He's a bully in the ring but I toughed it out in the first few rounds to outman him and wear him down. Once I got through those early rounds and bullied him, I got to my boxing and boxed his head off. He had some little spells and he's a tough fighter, he's been in with good fighters but I showed that I can mix it at a higher level, I showed I can fight, box and I showed toughness."
Okolie will challenge Commonwealth champion Luke 'The Duke' Watkins at cruiserweight, while featherweight powerhouse Reece Bellotti puts his Commonwealth strap and unbeaten record on the line against 'Ruthless' Ryan Doyle.
Bellotti lit up York Hall last October when emphatically stopping Jason Cunningham for the belt and he has since improved his record to 12 wins from as many fights, with 11 stoppages.
Fresh from his stunning professional debut, sensational Kazakh amateur Daniyar Yeleussinov will make his first UK appearance, while emerging prospects Felix Cash and Sean McGoldrick will also look to continue their rise up the rankings.
Watch Luke Watkins vs Lawrence Okolie on the NXTGEN bill at York Hall, June 6, live on Sky Sports.
