London 2012 medallist Fred Evans signs professional deal

Olympic welterweight silver medallist Fred Evans has decided to enter the professional ranks.

The 24-year-old Welshman has signed with Bristol promoter Chris Sanigar and should make his paid debut early in 2016.

Evans won a gold medal for Wales at the European Championships in 2011 and went on to represent Great Britain at London 2012, where he was beaten by Kazakhstan's Serik Sapiyev in the 69kg final.

His career since has been less auspicious as he was denied the chance to compete for Wales at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow when organisers refused him accreditation.

Evans was also handed a two-year suspended jail term in October after punching a friend and breaking his jaw.

"I had a great amateur career and I want to thank all of the coaching staff at Team GB, especially Robert McCracken," Evans said.

"I think turning professional is the next move, I reached the top as an amateur and I'm looking forward to doing the same as a pro."

Evans is the last of the seven male boxers to fight for Team GB at the 2012 Games to turn professional, with his compatriot Andrew Selby recently having moved up - flyweight Selby has won his first three pro bouts with two knockout victories.

Anthony Joshua (15-0-KO15) claimed the British heavyweight title by beating Dillian Whyte at the O2 on Saturday and Anthony Ogogo returned from injury to improve his record to 8-0-KO4 in July.

Luke Campbell (12-1-KO10) lost his unbeaten record to Yvan Mendy on the Joshua undercard, Tom Stalker (10-1-2-KO2) fights Craig Evans for the vacant WBO European lightweight title on Saturday, and Josh Taylor (3-0-KO3) has just embarked on his pro career.