Boxing Forums banner
1 - 11 of 11 Posts

· Registered
Joined
·
2,367 Posts
Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Team GB star to make debut on Darren Barker show in September

Iain Weaver has signed promotional terms with Matchroom Sport.

The decorated Team GB star will make his debut on the undercard of Darren Barker's comeback fight on September 8 at the Alexandra Palace in north London.

Weaver, 22, will begin life in the paid ranks at super featherweight and after speaking Eddie Hearn he said it was the promise of regular action that was the decisive factor in signing with Britain's number one boxing team.

"I am really excited about starting out in the professional game," said Weaver. "I will always have great memories of representing Team GB but this is a new chapter in my life and I cannot wait to get going on September 8.

"To make my debut on the undercard of a big show topped by Darren Barker - a guy who has fought one of the top three fighters in the world - is just a dream come true. I sat down with a number of promoters but only Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Sport can deliver regular big nights and I'm thrilled to be part of it."

Weaver joins old Team GB friends Scotty Cardle, Kal Yafai and Martin Ward in Hearn's burgeoning stable of future champions, and the Dorset man says that a healthy rivalry will soon blossom.

"We all know each other inside out so I think there is going to be a lot of fun ahead," said Weaver. "We've travelled all over the world together and grown close, the GB squad is like a tight family and it's great to be stepping into the pros knowing Scotty, Kal and Martin are there with me. We'll all want to outdo each other of course but at the same time we'll be there to help each other out, which can only be good for all of us."

Weaver's signing was welcomed by the king of Hearn's crop as three-time World super middleweight champion Carl Froch backed him to be a hit in the paid ranks.

"Iain is a cracking fighter that belongs in the pro game," said Froch. "He is a really talented young guy and a real tough nut. His style is much more suited to the professional scene and a bit like me, he loves a tear up! I'm looking forward to watching him develop and like the rest of the boys in the stable; I'll be there to help him out along the way."

Weaver's new promoter Eddie Hearn said he cannot wait to unleash Weaver on September 8.

"I'm delighted to secure the signing of Iain, he's an exceptional young talent and we look forward to giving him the best opportunity to reach the top," said Hearn. "We're building quite a team here at Matchroom Sport and cannot wait to see them all do their thing and express themselves in the new season."
 

· Registered
Joined
·
2,367 Posts
Discussion Starter · #6 ·
@BoxingAnalyst

Bournemouth boxer Iain Weaver has left the Great Britain amateur squad to turn professional, and hopes to sign with promoter Frank Warren.
Weaver was overlooked for April's final Olympic qualifier and has decided to turn his back on the amateur ranks.
The 22-year-old plans to box at super-featherweight and hopes to have his first fight in September.
"I'm really excited by this next stage in my career, I think the pro ranks will suit me," Weaver told BBC Sport.
Weaver, from Ferndown, is still hurt by his omission from the team for the qualifiers in Turkey, with Sam Maxwell chosen in his place.
Continue reading the main story
"
I'm going to turn professional and try and reach the heights in the pro game that I did in the amateur game and be a world champion
"
Iain Weaver
Maxwell was eventually beaten by Fatih Keles, meaning he also missed out on Olympic selection.
"I still feel a bit gutted and a bit hard done by to be honest," said Weaver.
"Sam boxed well but he didn't qualify did he? He didn't make the Olympics. He boxed well in the first fight but stopped the Russian (Albert Selimov - former world and European champion, ranked number one in the world) on a cut and then he went and got beaten quite comfortably by the Turk.
"You don't see me going to tournaments and getting beaten comfortably.
"I always either made the final or the semi-final. Now we don't have an English 60kg boxer at the Olympics [Scotland's Josh Taylor did qualify at lightweight for Great Britain though] and I believe either myself or Martin Ward would have qualified."
Weaver says he has not spoken to GB boxing coach Robert McCracken since being told he was not going to Turkey and has spent the past month resting and contemplating his future.
Weaver, who won silver at the 2010 European Amateur Championships in Moscow, believes he was left no choice but to leave the GB squad.
"Over the past month I've just had some time off, spent some time with my girlfriend and given my body a rest which is what I needed to do after four years of hard training," he said.
"I've not spoken to Rob. The trust has gone after not being selected.
"I spent the last four years winning tournaments only to miss out on selection for the qualifiers. I wouldn't be happy to stay on the squad for the next four years for the same thing to happen."
He added: "What I'm going to do now is turn professional and try and reach the heights in the pro game that I did in the amateur game and be a world champion."
Weaver plans to train at Al Smith's gym, alongside former British champion Matt Webb, but after speaking to several promoters including Ricky Hatton, he is leaning towards Warren.
"Frank has always been the biggest promoter over the past few years. He gets you the exposure you need and he gets you the fights," he added
 
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top