Lochend Boxing Club's Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Matty McHale ready for professional bow

Christmas will have come early for super flyweight Matty McHale if he can secure his first victory as a professional boxer.

The 26-year-old, who delivered bronze in the bantamweight division at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in August, embarks on a new journey tomorrow night when he faces Romanian Stefan Nicolae at the Radisson Blue in Glasgow.

The former Lochend amateur has signed a promotional deal with St Andrew's Sporting Club and will continued to be mentored by Terry McCormack in the ring.

"What a time it would be to get my first win, not long before Christmas," McHale said. "The festive period will be quiet for me - I need to be professional about everything. Last thing I knew I was just starting camp and now it's finished so it's flown in. I'm ready to go. We've left no stone unturned.

Matty McHale

"I did have a few other offers but I just felt St Andrew's was the right one. They'll look after us - Iain Wilson will be my manager but Terry is still going to train me. I'm not being taken out of my home comforts with moving gyms, or having to go down south. The stars have aligned now as they say.

"I'm just taking it one step at a time but hopefully all being well I'm out again early in January. My goal is to be fighting for the British title towards the end of next year. I want to move quickly with no mucking about. I've done everything in the amateurs that I could do so it's time for a new chapter."