Decorated amateur Adam Olaniyan has turned professional with Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions, with his debut set to be in Dublin later this year.
The heavyweight has been added to the undercard of the WBA world super featherweight title showdown between Jazza Dickens and Anthony Cacace at the 3 Arena on 14 March.
The 19-year-old from Tallaght was a 2024 World Youth champion and a two-time European gold medallist, as well as seven-time national champion.
He has turned down the chance to become an Olympian in LA in 2028, instead focusing on world honour in the pro game.
Olaniyan will be trained by the highly-respected veteran coach Paul Stevenson at the Everton Red Triangle gym in Liverpool.
"I'm delighted to be getting my professional journey underway and no better place to do it than at home in Dublin," said the teenager.
"This felt like the right time to make the switch to the pros and it's great to be doing that with the backing of Frank Warren and Queensberry. They really are the home of the heavyweights right now so it's the perfect place for me to develop.
"I’m obviously still very young and I know I will have to serve my apprenticeship as a pro but I've already proved as an amateur that I can be the best in the world and of course the goal remains the same as a professional. I want to become undisputed world heavyweight champion and bring all those belts back to Dublin and the road to that starts in Dublin on 14 March."
Warren is delighted to add another young talent to his elite heavyweight force: "I am thrilled to bring Adam to Queensberry, and he is clearly a very special and gifted young heavyweight who excelled as an amateur. It is the perfect time for him to turn professional and make himself known throughout the world at the time when the heavyweights are dominating the boxing landscape.
"Every fighter is different and we will bring Adam along at the correct pace and make sure he gets all the experience he needs. He is with a top trainer in Paul and the environment in his gym will bring the very best out of him and see to it that Ireland will have a heavyweight star to be proud of."
Olanyian will be managed by Brian Peters, best known for fulfilling the same role with Bernard Dunne and Katie Taylor.
Peters feels Olaniyan can become world champion.
"Adam is an incredibly exciting talent and the world is his oyster," predicted Peters.
"Of course we have to be conscious of his age and take our time with his development, but he has all the attributes to become the first Irish-born World heavyweight champion."
