Olympic champion Shakhobidin Zoirov is keen to get started on translating his amateur success to the professional ranks after signing with MTK Global.

The Uzbek was a standout name in a haul of elite signings that included his compatriot Hurshid Tojibaev and Kazakh stars Sultan Zaurbek and Azhbenov Nurtas.

Zoirov, who claimed the flyweight gold medal at Rio 2016, said: “I know boxing isn’t an easy sport but I always had the target of being professional. No matter how hard the road was, I was always going to make it.

“The goal is simple – I want to have a world title. I’m getting there as soon as possible. I’m not sure which weight division it’ll be in but I’ll decide that with my managers and coach.

“I will reach my goal step by step and do whatever it takes to be a world champion.

“I’m delighted to be working with MTK Global. I learned of them through my brother Hurshid Tojibaev. I’ve been watching their work and I like what they do.

“MTK Global is a relatively new company and are doing new things. I’m happy to be working them and together, we can create a new epoch.”

IN OTHER NEWS: Matt Sen insists he is ready for the step up to eight rounds, and a title tilt, in only his fourth professional fight.

The likeable Sen, a former body builder, takes on Wolverhampton’s Joshua Burke in a Black Country battle for the British Challenge Cruiserweight Title at The Venue, Dudley, this weekend.

30 year-old Sen, who made his professional debut 12 months ago, is in confident mood ahead of the clash.

Camp has gone great,” he told bcb-promotions.com. “There has been lots of learning and working on my flaws.

We have mixed up sparring this time with some in house technical sparring and open spars with Ricky Summers and some of the UFC team.

“Fighting in an eight rounder is a big step, let alone challenging for a title. For me it is really exciting. It’s a challenge and I like to continuously keep pushing myself. They say God puts the greatest highs at the end of our fears so in order to live them we must face our fears!"