Anthony Ogogo's First Pro Fight
26 April 2013, 06:00 | Updated: 26 April 2013, 09:21
Lowestoft's Olympic bronze medal winning boxer Anthony Ogogo is getting ready for his first professional fight this weekend.
The 2012 Olympic bronze medallist fights for the first time as a professional on Saturday as he takes on Telford middleweight Kieron Gray in a six-round contest in Sheffield.
The 24-year-old from Lowestoft has not fought since London 2012 but now feels the time is right to step up.
He said: ``I am so excited, I feel great. I haven't been in the ring since last summer and I can't wait to go.
``Ultimately I want to become the best middleweight in the world - whether it takes three years or six years, it doesn't matter.
``Putting time frames on it puts pressure on for no reason.
``However long it takes, it will take that long.''
Ogogo was a star in the amateur game and, after impressing at London 2012, thought carefully before moving into the paid ranks.
He said: ``I loved my time as an amateur and competing for myself and my country around the world.
``But I am very happy now to be in the next chapter of my career and looking forward to the next step.
``I had a bit of time off and spent a bit of time with the family after the Olympics but since the turn of the year I've been back in the gym, training hard, working hard and looking to the future.
``I can't wait to fight now and get this first one out of the way.
``I want to come through, look good and continue to build on it.''
Gray, 35, has lost 13 of his 19 professional fights but Ogogo feels he will provide a tough test.
The fight takes place at the Motorpoint Arena on the undercard to Amir Khan's fight with Julio Diaz.
Ogogo said: ``He's good. They gave us a list of three or four people to box and he was the best of them.
``We picked him because he was the best person available.
``I have always been in this game because I want to challenge myself. I want to box the best guys in the world and be the best guy.
``It is about learning and taking each step as it comes. He is going to present some challenges and hopefully I will have enough to get beyond him.''