Callum Smith set for pro berth

Liverpool's Callum Smith will make his professional debut on at the Capital FM Arena on the undercard of Carl Froch's IBF super middleweight World title defence against Yusaf Mack.

Smith recently turned pro with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Sport after missing out on a spot at the London Olympics and is the latest Smith to join the pro ranks, following in the footsteps of older brothers Liam, Stephen and Paul.

The 22 year old, who won a silver medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, will begin life in the pros fighting at super middleweight despite boxing at light heavyweight in the amateur ranks and will join former GB teammates Scotty Cardle, Kal Yafai and Martin J. Ward on Froch's undercard next month.

"I am really excited about making my professional debut, it is a great bill to debut on," said Smith. "I have been sparring with Carl Froch, Tony Bellew is a good Scouse lad who is from the same amateur club as me and then the undercard has Kal Yafai, Martin J. Ward, Scotty Cardle who were my amateur teammates, so I couldn't really have asked for a better card with better people to box on for my debut, apart from my brothers.

"I felt the time was right to turn professional. I have done a lot in the amateurs and it was either turn professional or wait another four years as I didn't really see the point in waiting two years because I have done the Commonwealth Games before and had success there and the only tournament I really wanted to do was the Olympic Games. So it was either turn pro now or wait four years and after thinking about it I decided that I wanted to turn professional.

"I speak to Kal, and especially Scott Cardle, all the time. I see Scotty every day in the gym and they are loving it, enjoying fighting regularly and learning all the time and they are happy with the move they have made and I am sure I will be once I get the ball rolling.

"It is exciting to see how Kal and Scott have been getting on. We were on the same amateur team so I know I am the same sort of level as them and I am excited to get my turn to hopefully show people how good I am and how good I can be.

"Eddie wants to keep me active and I have seen my gym mate Cardle have some excellent fights in seven months and that is what I want."

Promoter Hearn added: "I'm delighted to add Callum to our ever expanding team of fighters. At just 22, I believe Callum is one of the most talented young fighters in the country and he can expect to be very busy over the next few years. We have a special team of fighters at Matchroom and I'm excited to begin this journey with Callum."