Kazakhstan's Daniyar Yeleussinov, a two-time Olympian and 2016 gold medalist at the Rio de Janeiro Games, is going pro.
He signed with promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing as well as manager Boxing Stars Management Group in deals announced on Monday.
Yeleussinov, a 26-year-old welterweight who also won a gold medal at the 2013 amateur world championships, will make his professional debut on April 28 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on the undercard of the fight between former middleweight titlist Daniel Jacobs and Maciej Sulecki.
"Words can't explain how excited I am to sign with Matchroom Boxing," Yeleussinov said. "I know Eddie along with my management team will work together to achieve my goal of becoming undisputed world champion. I'm so excited to box in the U.S, the U.K. and at home in Kazakhstan and can't wait for my debut in New York on April 28 and beginning my professional journey."
While it won't happen any time soon, the fact that he signed with Hearn could lead to a rematch between Yeleussinov and England's Josh Kelly (5-0, 4 KOs), a Matchroom Boxing-promoted fighter who lost to Yeleussinov in his opening-round bout in Rio.
"I'm honored to win the race to sign Daniyar," Hearn said. "He is an unbelievable talent and a fighter that can become a huge star all around the world. We are looking to move him at a fast pace, beginning in New York in April before making his U.K. debut in the summer. It's going to be a lot of fun and fight fans are going to love watching this young man go all the way to the top."
Ziya Aliyev, the managing director of Boxing Stars Management, added, "We are happy to bring Daniyar to the Matchroom Boxing family. We know Eddie is the promoter that can make the moves to not only make Daniyar a world champion but a star around the world.
"Daniyar is a talent that comes around once every 20 years, who is capable to win a world title in two years and then rule the division for years to come. Many of the top boxing promoters and managers were trying to sign Daniyar because they see what we see, a future superstar in boxing."