MTK Global has announced the signing of talented amateur Nico Leivars ahead of his plans to turn professional.

Leivars brings to the paid ranks a stellar amateur pedigree, having won national and international titles at junior, youth and senior level, whilst also representing Great Britain at various tournaments around the world.

The Mansfield youngster will now bring his talents into the professional game, and he is extremely excited for the journey alongside MTK Global.

Leivars said: "I feel privileged to be joining the MTK Team. They're renowned for putting their boxers first, and creating great opportunities for them, so I'm proud and excited to be part of such a great team of champions.

"In this sport you're always learning, and I'm surrounded by some of the best boxers in the world to learn from, so I look forward to following in their footsteps.

"I had 90 fights as an amateur, winning national and international titles at junior, youth and senior level. I boxed around the world representing Team Italy and Team GB, and there's no greater honour than representing your own country.

"The years of sparring and fighting the world's best boxers, whilst travelling to various countries for training camps was all invaluable experience. It's made me a better boxer both physically and mentally, so you couldn't ask for better experience.

"I'm really enjoying the transition from amateur to professional. I'm taking the skills I already had as a top amateur and adding more to my game as a professional. I'm confident the pro game will suit me perfectly.

"My ambition is to win world titles, and I've also always wanted to be able to fight on the pitch at my football club in Mansfield. Being able to fight with my whole hometown there to cheer me on would be a dream come true, and a dream I believe MTK Global will help me achieve in the near future."

MTK Global Promoter Lee Eaton said: "We're ecstatic to welcome Nico Leivars to the team. He had an illustrious amateur career and it's going to be an exciting journey seeing what he can achieve as a professional.

"He is extremely ambitious and has a bright future ahead of him, so we can't wait for him to get started and show the world what he is made of."