Wednesday 8 February 2017 19:08, UK
Josh Kelly has turned professional with Matchroom Boxing and will make his debut on the undercard of Ricky Burns' unification clash with Julius Indongo in Glasgow.
The 22-year-old welterweight has become the latest Team GB 2016 Olympic boxer to link up with promoter Eddie Hearn, after cruiserweight Lawrence Okolie and super-featherweight Joe Cordina also joined the Matchroom stable.
Kelly competed at last summer's Rio Olympics, suffering defeat to eventual gold medal winner Daniyar Yeleussinov in the last 16, and is hoping to impress in the paid ranks after linking up with trainer Adam Booth.
He will fight on the same bill as Scottish world champion Burns, who defends his WBA super-lightweight title against IBF champion Indongo on April 15, live on Sky Sports.
"I want to get fans across the whole of Britain and beyond to want to watch me and come to my fights," said Kelly. "I think they'll see flash and flair, and there will be knockouts too.
I think they'll see flash and flair, and there will be knockouts too.
"There's going to be ups and downs because I'm a bit of a rollercoaster ride, but when I put my mind to it, I know I can do a lot in the sport. I've got the right people around me and all the boxes are ticked for success.
"I drew the eventual champion in the Olympics and really think there was just two or three punch difference in each of the rounds. It could've been a different story, but that's how it goes, I've moved on from that.
"I could've stayed amateur and I think I would've have got to the Commonwealth Games and the next Olympics. When I was switched on and focused, I don't think anyone in Britain or Europe could come close to me."
Booth has previously guided the careers of David Haye and George Groves, while he currently works with exciting bantamweight Ryan Burnett, and Kelly believes his trainer can steer him to a world title.
"Adam is top class," said Kelly. "My style is perfect for him, he loves flair but he knows how to control it. He lets you express yourself, but he doesn't neglect the basics, keeps you focused, and also keeps an eye on the nutrition and everything.
"I feel I can go all the way with Adam training me. We're on the same wavelength, even though we've only just started. I feel I'm learning every day.
"He's taking me from strength to strength and it's only been a couple of weeks."
Hearn said: "I'm delighted to welcome another Olympian to the team in Josh Kelly. Josh is an exceptional talent and looks a million dollars, I really feel that he can cross over and become a star in the sport."
