‘It’s definitely the right time for me’ – Gosport boxer Amy Cooper turns professional

The 22-year-old has signed a pro contract with John Edwards, who owns the Guilford City Boxing Club in Surrey.

Cooper took time out of the sport after winning her third national title three years ago to concentrate on her work career - she is a gas engineer.

Indeed, her last competitive fight was in November 2019 when - after a ring absence of several years - she landed the England National Development Championships under-75kg women’s title.

‘I wanted to focus on my studying,’ said recalled. ‘But now I’m comfortable with my work, I’m self employed, and the time is now right.

‘With boxing, you have to give it your all. It has to be 100 per cent. For a while, I couldn’t commit 100 per cent.

‘It’s definitely the right time for me now. I’m fully committed.

‘Turning pro was always my goal. When I phoned up my mum to tell her she was crying and saying that had been my dream when I was a little girl.

‘It’s a great time for the sport - women’s boxing is absolutely massive now. It all couldn’t have worked out better for me.’

Cooper will continue to train during the week under Darren Blair at Gosport ABC, the club where she took up the sport aged 11 as her dad was a coach there.

She will then travel to Guildford to train on a Saturday.

Asked about her professional targets, Cooper remarked: ‘There’s no limits.

‘My coach believes I can be a world champion, and I will put all my faith in him.

‘It’s a great opportunity for me, I’m really lucky - but then I’ve worked really hard for it, this is my reward for everything.’

Cooper expects to start looking for her debut pro opponent later this year, with the fight scheduled for the early part of 2023.