MULTI-TIME national amateur boxing champion Jack Fay is turning professional.

The Darwen native has signed a long-term contract with Maree Boxing who have high hopes for him in the cruiserweight division.

Fay himself has real ambitions of making a name for himself on the professional scene and wants to make his mark quickly.

“Early on in my career I’ll be aiming for shows like this, but I’ve got big ambitions, I want to start filling out stadiums,” Fay said talking at Blackburn’s King George’s Hall on Saturday night.

“Obviously, it’s a big dream, but it can happen.

“I’ve been doing amateurs now for years so turning professional and making some money, it’ll be good.

“I know Kevin will steer me in the right direction and I’m just going to take one fight at a time. It’s all I can do at this stage.”

Fay comes into the professional game with good pedigree after picking up a number of titles in the amateur code.

“I won the national title, I’m a four-time North West heavyweight champion and also a cruiserweight champion,” said the 24-year-old former Technique ABC fighter.

“I’ve boxed some of the best fighters in the country now, and I feel like I can move into being a professional and make a name for myself there and make some good money.

“I just want to take one fight at a time now. I can’t get ahead of myself and go straight in for a title fight. Kevin knows what he’s doing with me.”

While not rushing into things there are clear aims, Fay hoping to be at the top of the domestic scene sooner rather than later.

“I want to get to British and European level in a couple of years’ time,” he said.

“I don’t just want to be a professional boxer for the sake of it, I want to get to a high level and hopefully, go for world titles.

“I know that’s a big ask, but I’m confident that we can do it.

“My lifestyle will have to improve now, it’s a bit more of a professional set up now and I’ll have to carry myself differently on social media and how I hold myself in the gym and outside of the gym will have to change.”

Fay’s transition from amateur to professional was announced on Saturday night at the King George’s Hall show put on by Maree and Frank Duffin.