CHAMPION Port Glasgow boxer Grant Quigley will make his professional debut this week after running out of challengers at amateur level.

The talented 20-year-old super middleweight fighter is on the bill for a show being put on by the famous St Andrew’s Sporting Club in Glasgow’s plush Radisson Blu hotel on Thursday night.

His decision to turn pro was partly forced on him after running out of challengers at amateur level where he who won two British titles, four Scottish crowns and a Commonwealth Youth Games silver medal.

Quigley is now desperate to take the step up and showcase his skills against tougher opponents starting with Stoke boxer Mark Till, who has won two, lost 13 and drawn one.

He said: “I’m not fussed who it is, I will just get on with it.

“I cannot wait — I’m excited and it’s going to be a good night. I just felt I had nothing else to prove at amateur level — I was getting pretty bored — and I thought I would try and make some money from boxing as well.

“This is a new challenge from what I’m used to.” Quigley is trained by long-time coach Kenny Crighton, who will be in his corner come the first bell, at the Port Glasgow Victoria Amateur Boxing Club, which is now based in the former Glen Rangers on Chapelton Street.

The youngster has shot through the ranks since pulling on a pair of gloves for the first time at the age of eight.

But he has faced a frustrating four-month wait to make his professional bow after a paperwork backlog at the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC). He is now good to go and is on the same card as former British champion David Barnes in what will be St Andrew’s 100th championship fight. The Port boxer said: “I actually turned professional in November and signed a contract but this is me just getting my first fight on Thursday.

“Usually it doesn’t take that long but the BBBC was really busy.

“To have been waiting since November was difficult when you are ready to go. Now I’m really looking forward to it.”