Brian Ceballo does not shy away from pressure or a challenge. Instead, he relishes it.

The unbeaten welterweight has no problems fighting before family and friends or facing unbeaten fighters.

Ceballo will do both Saturday night as he will square off against Ramal Amanov at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The eight-round bout will take place on the undercard of the Gennady Golovkin-Sergiy Derevyanchenko fight and will be streamed live on DAZN (7 p.m. ET/ 4 p.m. PT).

The 25-year-old last fought on Aug. 23 in a stay-busy fight, knocking out Colombia’s Luis Eduardo Florez in the fourth round. Ceballo (10-0, 5 knockouts) notched his most impressive win thus far as a pro in his previous fight on June 8, defeating previously-unbeaten Bakhtiyar Eyobov by unanimous decision.

He will face another unbeaten fighter Saturday in Amanov (16-0, 5 KOs), who has a victory over former junior welterweight contender William Gonzalez in June of 2015. Ceballo expects a tough fight from Amanov.

“I know he’s unbeaten and here to fight the best opposition,” Ceballo told Boxingscene over the phone Wednesday night. “He’s a southpaw and from Azerbaijan, so you know they have a strong amateur background. He’s not going to be scared and will come to win. Those are the fights we want.”

Ceballo has progressed since making his pro debut on Mar. 27 of last year, crediting the work he has received with trainer Colin Morgan. He believes he has done well making the transition from the amateur to the pro ranks.

Saturday will mark Ceballo’s fifth fight of 2019, and he believes he is right on pace with where he needs to be as a legit prospect.

“I have a lot of amateur experience and I think I’ve adapted well thus far as a pro,” said Ceballo, who is promoted by Tom Loeffler. “I think the one thing that I’ve improved on is my pacing in fights. I feel that I’ve done well in eight-round fights thus far.”

An impressive win over Amanov, who has stopped three of his last four opponents, could put Ceballo in a position where he will continue to step-up the level of opposition. He hopes to fight once more this year, but believes he is ready to move forward and fight in 10-round bouts.

“This should be my last eight-round bout. The 10-rounders are next. I want to fight the top opposition. I consider myself a prospect and my mindset is up there at that level. I just more experience (at the pro level). I believe I have the talent and I have everything that it takes to get there.”

Ceballo is co-managed by David McWater and Tim VanNewHouse, who also represents junior welterweight contender Ivan Baranchyk, who is fighting Gabriel Rosado on the card. Both have had Ceballo fight not only around the country, but have focused on him fighting around his hometown of New York City.

Saturday will mark the third time he will fight inside The Garden, and while some fighters become nervous or overwhelmed by fighting in their hometown, Ceballo is motivated by it.

“Fighting in my hometown is everything to me. I love the pressure and I believe I fight better. My brain is wired and I’m fine fighting before family and friends, even in front of people that want to see you lose. The best to me is fighting before a hometown crowd.”

Ceballo hopes to fight again in December, and wants to leave fight fans with a strong impression.

“I’m young, but not 18 (years old) young. I just want to move forward and get better with each fight.”

Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing