Paddy Barnes has announced he is turning professional and hopes to make his debut in the paid ranks in his home city of Belfast.
Barnes was the flag bearer for Ireland in this summer's Olympics, but failed to add to the back-to-back bronze medals he won in Beijing and London.
The 29-year-old suffered a shock defeat in his opening bout to Spaniard Samuel Carmona and will now turn professional after securing a sponsorship deal with Paddy Power.
"Now it's time to go pro, I've been in the amateurs too long and I want a new challenge," Barnes said on the Irish bookmakers' website.
"The experience was brilliant, but after a few Olympics I know what it's like.
"My debut will possibly be before Christmas in Belfast. It's my home city so it would be great to begin my career there," said Barnes.
"I'm going to start off at a flyweight, hopefully move through the weights and probably end up bantamweight at the end of my career.
"I'll still be disappointed with my (amateur) career, not winning a gold medal.
"That will never leave me, but bringing back the world title is something that's just as recognisable. That will in some ways make up for it."