Charlie Edwards insists he was not out of his league after his defeat in the IBF world flyweight clash at the hands of John Riel Casimero.

The 23-year-old from Beddington, who is now based in Epsom, was challenging for the world title on Saturday at the O2 Arena despite it being only his ninth pro fight.

Defending champion Casimero, who also held the IBF light flyweight world title last year and was fighting in his 26th bout, won on a TKO in the 10th of 12 rounds.

Fighting on the undercard of the Gennady Golovkin v Kell Brook world middleweight title clash, it was a shuddering left hook that sent Edwards, who trains with MGM Marbella, to the canvas.

He said: “I can't remember the shot that caught me. The team were telling me they couldn't believe I got up from it.

“I walked into one and he's a big puncher. I used my brain and took a knee, but it wasn't enough.”

At the restart the former Earlsfield ABC boxer had nothing left in his tank and after the much-travelled Pilipino threw two uppercuts and an overhand right, referee Steve Gray halted the bout.

Edwards added: “I thought it was a close fight, some of the rounds were very close.

“He is a great fighter, it just wasn't my day and I'll learn a lot from that, I'll get back in the gym and work hard to get back into this position again soon.

“He's a top drawer fighter, punches really hard and relentlessly - he did his last opponent in four rounds and I went 10 with him, so that says a lot about my toughness.

“I think I won a fair share of rounds in there and I will come back stronger from this.

“I'm destined to become a world champion and this hasn't changed that belief, I know I'm going to do it and my performance has shown that.”

Edwards certainly did not disgrace himself at his first major big test as a professional in front of a big stage audience.

However, some critics have suggested this world title shot came much too soon in his career, but Edwards feels otherwise.

“I didn't feel I was out of my league in there, it was a close fight,” he said.

“I got caught, it can happen, and at this level the punches can be finishers.

“I've had a taste of this level in just nine fights and at flyweight the opportunities are few and far between and I am glad I took it, it's going to serve me well.

“It was a risk, I gave it my all and it wasn't my day but it will be in the future.

“I'm only 23 and I've boxed for a world title in my ninth fight. I will make sure I do it next time.”