Charlie Edwards may not have enjoyed his days as an amateur boxer, but he is convinced those hard days have made him the title-holding pro boxer he is today.

The 22-year-old former Earlsfield ABC man defends his English flyweight title on Saturday against Phil Smith at the Manchester Arena.

Edwards, who grew up in Beddington and now lives in Epsom, won the title in only his fifth pro fight with Matchroom Boxing.

And since turning professional last year, Edwards has seen a boxing world totally at odds to the amateur scene.

It includes having his boxing base in Marbella, having signed to Macklin’s Gym Marbella (MGM) – who list European champion Joe Selkirk and interim world champion Derry Matthews among their numbers.

Edwards said: “My preparation for this fight has been spot on, it could not have gone any better.

“I am now based in Marbella with a new coach in Danny Vaughan and signed to MGM. The facilities are great, and the food is so clean.

“It’s a real family affair, my dad is out here with me, and the people at the gym cannot do enough for you.

Wimbledon Times:

Amateur days: Charlie Edwards in 2010

“I feel like I am really pushing on in my boxing career and now I have a great team around me. With MGM, Sky Sports and Matchroom behind me, it’s perfect.”

He added: “I look back at my amateur career and realise it was a bit of a joke boxing with England.

“The gym in Marbella is five minutes away so there is not the hours of travelling through London that I used to do.

“Gone are the days of a travelling to and from Sheffield to train with the GB squad, I used to do that Monday to Thursday, and it used to kill me.

“As England, we’d go to these countries in Europe and get such dodgy decisions. You knew you’d won a fight, but know the decision would go against you because England were hated.

“You got to the point where you were just laughing.

“But I think that has made me the boxer I am today, it’s made me more determined to do everything right, sacrifice my life for boxing.

“It’s only a short career, you have to make the most of it, and then enjoy the rewards later on.”

Edwards’ decision to take on Vaughan, who coaches fellow MGM boxer Matthews, as his new coach is designed to continue his push to a world title.

He said: “I’ve not had a main coach at a professional level, they have always come from the amateur level.

“It is important for a boxer to feel they are progressing, and before teaming up with Danny, I did not feel I was learning anything new, and now I am fighting for titles, it is important my training is taken to another level.”

He added: “I knew Danny was the man to go with, he trains Derry Matthews, and we really clicked on the pads. I have great respect for him, and that is important for a boxer.”

Edwards’s opponent on Saturday comes into the bout with a 6-1-0 record, and it will be 29-year-old Smith’s biggest fight to date.

Edwards said: “I know I am going into this fight as the favourite, I am the English champion.

“I won’t under-estimate him, but I have every confidence in my ability, I know how hard I have trained, I know how good I can be.

“Boxing is my life, and I am in the perfect state of mind for this fight.”

He added: “I know Phil has a background in the ABA national finals – he’s a come forward fighter, but he doesn’t realise that that plays straight into my hands.

“It’s his cup final, and I am going to play it like that.”

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