Sam 'Bullet Bowen is preparing for a new challenge after ditching the vest to turn professional.
Bowen has agreed a one-year deal with Newark-based Carl Greaves and the 22-year-old light-welterweight from Ibstock hopes to make his paid debut by the end of the year.
Greaves will manage and train Bowen and said he is "absolutely delighted" to be working with a fighter with such an impressive amateur pedigree.
In 106 bouts with Earl Shilton, Bowen, the County's most decorated amateur since Martin Concepcion, won four national junior titles, claimed four successive gold medals at the Haringey Box Cup and represented England.
On the big nights in the ABA Championships he lost his discipline and never got beyond the quarter-finals, but all the ingredients are there.
Bowen is ferocious, a tremendous body puncher and, when the mood takes him, he can box as well.
Bowen said: "I'm not going to say I'm going to be a champion, but I've got confidence in myself.
"I was always going to turn pro and the time is right now.
"I've had a season boxing without a head guard and feel ready for the pros.
"I knew my chances of getting picked for Great Britain were slim. It seemed my face didn't fit. I would beat lads – and they would get picked instead of me.
"My style is better suited to the pros anyway.
"In the amateurs, they pick, poke and run away, but I'm an aggressive, come-forward fighter. I like to get stuck in.
"I know there are things to work on but if I get good sparring I will improve."
Earl Shilton coach Craig Perkins, who has trained Bowen since he was 11, agrees over the longer distances "Bullet" will be hard to beat.
Perkins said: "I don't think they will be able to live with Sam over six or eight rounds. He will be relentless."
Perkins said he is happy to hand Bowen over to Greaves, who he describes as "a knowledgeable boxing man".
Greaves said: "I've been looking for a fighter like Sam for a long time.
"He has a great amateur pedigree and has the potential to be a top, top fighter."
