Charlie Edwards in confident mood ahead of Johnriel Casimero title fight
Sunday 4 September 2016 17:07, UK
Charlie Edwards says he feels in "great shape" ahead of his IBF world flyweight title fight against Johnriel Casimero.
The highly-rated 23-year-old takes on the Filipino champion on the undercard of Gennady Golovkin and Kell Brook's world middleweight title contest on Saturday.
And despite it being only the ninth professional bout of his fledgling career, Edwards is confident of claiming his first world belt at The O2 in London.
"It's a massive step up for me," Edwards told Sky Sports News HQ from his Marbella training camp. "He's a two-weight world champion but I believe I'm ready, my team believes I'm ready and Eddie and Barry Hearn believe I'm ready.
"I've had the best camp ever - I feel in great shape and great condition so I'm really going in there full of confidence to rip this belt off Johnriel Casimero
"I've got fast feet, I'm a mover, I switch-hit - I'm just horrible to fight against I suppose. I make things difficult for my opponent and I'm very fast.
"I think Johnriel Casimero is going to struggle with his slow footwork, so I'm looking forward to getting in there and doing a number on him."
Edwards also believes Brook faces a "very, very tough" task to beat Golovkin in the headline fight on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Brook has stepped up two weight divisions to challenge the WBA, WBC, IBF and IBO middleweight champion.
And although both fighters enter the fight with an unbeaten professional record, Edwards believes Golovkin may have too much for the British fighter.
"I think it's going to be a very, very tough fight for Brook," said Edwards.
"Golovkin is the pound-for-pound king out there at the moment. It's going to be tough for him - it's a big ask, he's jumped up weight as well.
"But I want him to do it and I hope all the British public get behind him and want him to do it. I'm sure he's going to be fully prepared and give it his all."
With his background in the welterweight division, Brook is likely to have superior hand speed to his Kazakhstani opponent this weekend.
And Edwards believes the Sheffield-born fighter needs to capitalise on this if he is to win.
"Speed kills - when you mix the timing and the speed together it really does pay off," Edwards said. "If he keeps his distance and boxes clever I can see him doing a very good job."
