When Charlie Edwards steps into the ring to make his professional debut in the new year, it will be just one man against another.

However, the 21-year-old from Beddington knows there will be plenty of support outside the ropes, from family and fans, as well as fellow boxers.

Edwards is fighting on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s WBC heavyweight title fight against Kevin Johnson at the O2 Arena on January 31.

The card also includes Ricky Boylan’s pop at the vacant English light welterweight title against Tommy Martin.

Edwards is close friends with Joshua and Boylan, and he is loving having his mates being ringside, as well as on the same Matchroom team.

“Anthony and I used to share rooms throughout our amateur careers, and I’ll be rooting for him.

“Because Ricky and I are from the same area, all my supporters are asking for tickets, and they all know Ricky,” he said.

“All his supporters are asking for tickets, and they all know me – so we’ll probably have the most fans inside the arena on fight night, apart from Anthony of course.

“We’re great friends, we’re once club mates at Earlsfield ABC, so now we can have our journey together.

“I know he is further into his pro career than me, and he’s fighting for titles. It’s great that we’re from the same area.”

He added: “I don’t know yet who I will be fighting.

“Eddie said: ‘I don’t think anyone in England will fight you, we’ll have to fly someone in’. But it doesn’t matter who it is – they are going to get dealt with.”

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Mates actions: Ricky Boylan