Coming into 2019, Ted Cheeseman reigned as British super-welterweight champion with an unblemished record of 15-0 at just 23 years of age.

Bermondseys Big Cheese was now set to be fast tracked as an improving prospect and so found himself thrust into a European title bout against Spains Sergio Garcia.

The fight took place on February 2 the night it all came crashing down for Cheeseman.

He was comprehensively outclassed by Garcia and beaten from pillar to post for 12 long rounds.

The Spaniard retained his title by unanimous decision.

As he returned to the dressing room, Cheeseman took trainer Tony Sims to one side in a private room and emotionally confessed to the secret vice in his life.

For the last five/six years Ive gambled heavy, he revealed publicly in a Matchroom Born Fighter interview four months later.

Ive gambled a lot of money, I dont know if it affected my performance because I was winning.

But it was always moneys coming, moneys going, moneys coming, moneys going.

I was betting silly money, hundreds of thousands.

I always had just enough, I was always getting by because it was always coming.

I had good sponsors, I was earning good money through fighting.

It was killing me at some points, but knowing that I had another fight coming up Id think, Thats my purse, Ill get through the camp so Im sorted.

Then in the end, it was like every fight was just a stake.

Mark Robinson/Matchroom

When I was selling tickets Im getting money, so thats a stake, Ill go and gamble that.

All you ever do is chase what you lose.

I wouldnt like to put a number on it but its in the high hundreds of thousands, maybe touching a million.

Ive had a lot of money over the last five years, but Ive come from nothing so when you get it, it becomes an addiction.

Mark Robinson/Matchroom

Reflecting on the defeat to Garcia, he explained: That fight was a blessing in disguise because, if I won it, I wouldve went and got massive money for my next fight.

I wouldve done the exact same thing again and by the time my career finished I wouldve ended up with nothing.

After that fight I spoke to Tony and theres another man in the gym called Bryn and they both got me help.

Ive been going to meetings and stuff and Ive been clean since then.

Mark Robinson/Matchroom

It has now been over a year since Cheeseman made a bet of any kind, however the rest of 2019 was still not smooth sailing for the youngster.

He returned to the ring in June, dropping back down to defend his British title against Kieron Conway.

Despite most believing hed done enough to win, the bout was scored a draw.

Then, in October, Cheeseman put his belt on the line against the highly rated Scott Fitzgerald, who was fresh off a huge win over Anthony Fowler.

Mark Robinson/Matchroom

The bout was close and divided opinion, but Fitzgerald got the nod with a tight unanimous decision.

Cheeseman fumed in the immediate aftermath and alleged corruption. Hed started the year 15-0, but ended it 15-2-1.

In hindsight, he reflected: 2019 was a great life experience for me, a great experience in boxing.

I learned a lot. As much as I didnt get the decisions I felt I should have, and took a big defeat, I learned a lot in that year.

Mark Robinson/Matchroom

I was fighting through niggles, fighting through stresses.

I didnt want to deal with none of that because the thing I was focused on was getting more money.

Because I was so desperate as a gambling addict to push on and have the stake to gamble, I was putting my body through strain and not letting myself get to how it shouldve been.

Getty

Now, Cheeseman seeking a fresh start as boxing returns for the remainder of 2020.

The coronavirus pandemic has prevented him from returning to action as quickly as hed have liked, but thrown up new opportunities in the meantime.

Sam Eggington has arisen as the opponent for the Big Cheese to headline Eddie Hearns first show back.

It will take place in the Matchroom HQ back garden with the series titled Fight Camp.

Mark Robinson/Matchroom

He concluded: Without this lockdown I dont think this fight would happen, but now the times right so the fights happened.

Were both in the same sort of direction, whoever wins pushes on into a good direction.

I just feel Im the younger, fresher and more talented fighter.

Ill be hungrier and more determined than Sam, Im all round better, so thats why I think Ill win.

Saturday night will show whether Cheeseman is finally ready to get back on track.

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Ted Cheeseman lost hundreds of thousands through gambling addiction, but has now gone a year without a bet - talkSPORT.com