Gavin set to sign for Warren

Highly-rated amateur Frankie Gavin is on the verge of signing professional terms with Frank Warren.

Top amateur confirms switch to professional ranks

Highly-rated amateur Frankie Gavin is on the verge of signing professional terms with Frank Warren. The world champion was favourite to take gold in the Beijing Olympics but pulled out with weight problems just days before the start of the Games. The 23-year-old has revealed he will start his professional career with the former WBU champion Anthony Farnell-turned-trainer and hopes to make his debut in the paid ranks at light-welterweight early next year. "I haven't signed yet but I'm very close to signing, the deal should be done next week with Frank Warren," he said. "He made his interest known quite a while ago. He's the best promoter in Britain by far, if not the world. "I'm going to base myself in Manchester with Anthony Farnell. "He's got some of my mates up there and the lads I've spoken to gave me a good talk. "So as long as the contract gets signed next week, that is what will happen." Sports Network promoter Warren added: "We are nearly there. We've just got a few bits to sort out and hopefully next week we'll make it official. "What happened at the Olympics was a great shame. He was world champion since the age of 17. I think he's won a medal in every international tournament he has been in. "He has been a very successful amateur and I'm sure he would have come back from Beijing with a gold medal. "Anyway, now he's moving on and hopefully he will go on to bigger and better things."