Boxing: Victorious Edwards and Hearn set out on a journey

The 21-year-old beat Craig Derbyshire on a technical knock-out in the final of four rounds at the O2 Arena on Saturday night.

And even before the night was over, promoter Eddie Hearn had already organised Edwards’ next bout on March 28 in Sheffield.

But for the time being, Edwards is taking a few days’ break before returning to the gym.

He said: “It was a one-sided fight. In the first round I was a little nervous because of the big crowd, but once I got into my rhythm I dominated him, and hurt him.

“In the last round, I caught him with a sweet right-hander and I felt it go up my arm.

“Then I dodged his lunge and got him again and he went down.”

He added: “I did not look like an amateur in that ring, I looked professional.

“Eddie’s face lit up at the end and he told me that we’re going to go on a great journey together.

“I am over the moon.”

Almost over: Charlie Edwards puts Craig Derbyshire on the canvas, just moments before the ref stepped in to stop the fight

Derbyshire’s pre-match record was 0-2-0, and Edwards insisted he was no debut pushover.

“Craig was a tough lad, he kept coming,” he said.

“He was no journeyman who’s fought 200 times and only got into the ring to lose.

“I’ve seen him in his cage-fighting days and he has knocked people out – he was definitely no mug.”

Who Edwards will face next month remains to be seen, but he believes who ever steps in the ring with him will face a battle.

“I don’t think I will notice a step up in the quality of opponents until I am going for a title,” he said.

“I have been fighting at this level for years on the amateur scene, but now I am learning the ins and outs of the professional scene.

“I may have all that experience behind me, but the slate has been wiped clean and before Saturday I was 0-0-0.

“It’s like I am starting my whole career again.”