Anthony Ogogo contemplates February pro debut

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Media caption,

Beaten Ogogo settles for bronze

London 2012 medallist Anthony Ogogo expects to make his professional debut in February - should he finally opt to quit the amateur ranks.

The 24-year-old middleweight has yet to decide whether to follow up his Olympic bronze medal by turning pro.

"I'm talking to a few different promoters. But I'm talking to GB boxing as well about extending with them," he told BBC East Sport.

"If I decide to turn pro, I want to be making my debut in February."

The Lowestoft fighter produced a memorable Olympic moment when he upset Ukraine's world number one Ievgen Khytrov in a thrilling bout on his way to a bronze medal.

His exploits in London dramatically raised his profile and attracted the attention of numerous promoters, including former world champion Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy organisation and the Barry Hearn-owned Matchroom Sport.

"I've spoken to Golden Boy. I've spoken to Matchroom Sport as well. They're probably the biggest one in Britain at the moment," said Ogogo.

However, the 2012 European Championships silver medallist has not ruled out the possibility of remaining amateur, with the prospect of fighting in the International Boxing Association's (AIBA) new world series.

AIBA Professional Boxing will see elite fighters from each weight group compete in eight to 10-round matches and although they will be paid for taking part, they will remain eligible for the Olympics.

"Amateur boxing is changing completely with a world series and AIBA Professional Boxing, so you can kind of be a professional but under the AIBA banner," said Ogogo.

"That's all very well but I don't know if the APB is going to be any good or not.

"It's really tough. It's about what I want to achieve in my life now. Do I want to upgrade the bronze to a gold at the Rio 2016 Olympics? Or do I think 'London was amazing. Rio's not going to be as good because it will be on in the early hours of the morning in Britain so not as many people will see it'.

"So do I turn pro and try and box on terrestrial TV and have millions of people watching me on a Saturday night?"

Media caption,

GB's Ogogo beats world number one

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