Joe Cordina sets his sights on world title glory after signing professional deal

Welshman Cordina, 25, the current European lightweight champion who represented Team GB at the Rio Olympics last summer, has been released from his contract with GB Boxing to pursue a career among the paid ranks.

"I want my name up in lights in Las Vegas, that's the dream," he said.

Cordina, who will train in Essex with Tony Sims as a super-featherweight , was contracted with Team GB until March 31 this year, but is itching to make a name for himself in world boxing.

"It's brilliant to be working with Matchroom Boxing and Sky Sports," he added.

"Anthony Joshua and Kal Yafai turned over with Eddie Hearn and became world champions, and I believe that I can follow that same path to the top.

"I just want to put on a good show against anyone put in front of me, excite the fans and build up a profile.

"I want people to be talking about me and raving about my performances because in three years' time I want to be fighting for a world title."

Cordina defeated Georgia's Otar Eranosyan in the 2015 European Championships final in Samakov and won bronze for Wales at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

In Rio he won his first contest but lost in the round of 16 to Uzbekistan's Hurshid Tojibaev.

Hearn said: "I've had my eye on Joe Cordina for some time - I believe he is an exceptional talent.

"I feel there is real potential for a star to flourish in Welsh boxing but the goal is to make him a global star as well.

"Fans are really going to enjoy his style and watching his career unfold on Sky Sports."