Cardle set for first pro fight

Cardle, a past winner of the Commonwealth amateur title, will campaign in the paid ranks at lightweight and won’t have to wait long for his debut.

He will box on the under-card of Kell Brook’s welterweight showdown with Matthew Hatton at the Motorpoint Aren,a Sheffield, on March 17.

Cardle said: “It’s been a long time coming.

“I’ve been training in the gym for four months now, just itching to get it sorted, so I’m delighted I’ve signed with Eddie Hearn and we have the first date to aim for.

“Eddie seems as excited as me and he’s showing a lot of faith in me by putting me on the Kell Brook undercard – I’ll repay that faith.

“I already feel really settled with Eddie and Matchroom, so it’s a great start.

“I really thought I would be going to the Olympics, so it took me a good few weeks to get over it.

“However, I’ve got the love back now and I feel that I’m going to settle into the pro game straight away.”

Promoter Hearn said: “Scott has a great pedigree through his GB experiences, having represented our country at elite level throughout the world.

“He has impressed me with his ability, focus, hard work and determination, and is exactly the kind of fighter we want.”