Former national champion Aarron ‘The Marksman’ Morgan has turned professional – and believes he is better equipped for the paid ranks at the age of 25.

Light-middleweight Morgan enjoyed a successful amateur career with Islington ABC, winning a national novices title in 2011 and reaching the last four of the senior ABA Championships last year.

However, he has opted to switch to the paid code after narrowly missing out on the chance to box at the 2016 Olympic Games, and will make his professional debut at the Camden Centre, Kings Cross, next month.

“After my successes in the nationals, I was invited to the GB camp for assessment, but unfortunately I didn’t quite make it,” Morgan told the Gazette.

“I would have loved to get on the squad and make it to Rio 2016, but it wasn’t to be and I felt now was the right time for The Marksman to take aim at the pro game.

“I’m ready to go now. I feel I’m mature, I feel mentally and physically prepared, and I’m in the right frame of mind now to handle myself in professional boxing.

“It’s about more than just getting in the ring and competing in bouts – there are a lot of other aspects as well. I spoke to a lot of people in the industry and they all gave me some good recommendations.

“Hopefully I’ll be featuring on a lot of local shows and putting on good performances and making sure people keep wanting to come and see me box.

“I love to entertain the crowd, I’m training hard and I want to put on a good performance every time. I’m excited for this next chapter in my life and boxing career.”

Morgan, who won four Box Cup gold medals in three different countries during his time at Islington, will continue to train under Bevis Allen, his coach at the Hazellville Road club.

The 25-year-old takes his professional bow with a four-round contest at the ‘I have a dream’ Hellraiser show on November 22, staged by his new manager Micky Helliet.

In the long-term, Morgan’s own dream is to challenge for titles on the international stage and attempt to emulate the man he views as a role model, former world heavyweight champion David Haye.

“I’ve met David Haye and he’s someone I look up to,” Morgan added. “He’s a very down to earth guy – he seems very grounded and if I have even half the success he’s had, I’ll be a very happy man.

“I am raring to go and I can’t wait to fulfil my lifelong ambition of owning the Lonsdale belt outright, and eventually challenging for Commonwealth, European and world honours.”

n Tickets for Morgan’s professional debut are available on 07950 277 601.