Lightweight contender Andy Cruz makes his debut on Saturday night as a professional, live on DAZN.
He faces Juan Carlos Burgos in Detroit, where he challenges for the vacant IBF international lightweight championship.
A win for either fighter would lend credibility to any calls to fight the current division's undisputed champion, Devin Haney, or to be in the mix should the belts become vacated over the coming year.
Cruz might be making his pro bow, but he has plenty of pedigree as an Olympic Gold medal winner at Tokyo 2020, when he beat Keyshawn Davis, and has three AIBA light-welterweight championships, and two medals at the World Championships.
Speaking to Matchroom ahead of the weekend’s action, he explained his recent move to the professional ranks, and revealed how he was able to make the breakthrough.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time, and since I’m here, I want to take advantage of it,” said Cruz.
“It feels spectacular to be back in the ring.
“A few years ago, I’d never thought this could happen. I had other projects in my life, but well, life, everything happens for a reason, and today here I am.”
“After everything that has happened, the timing is perfect. In life, everything happens for a reason, and I am going to make it all worthwhile. I can’t wait for Saturday night, it’s going to be brilliant, a tough fight to start with but I’m excited for that."
He added: “To start boxing, I had to make a promise to my mum - it was that if she let me be a boxer, I was going to be Olympic champion and win all the tournaments that came my way, that is how I convinced her, that I was never going to lose.
“To achieve that dream of winning Olympic gold, I was firstly keeping my promise to my mum. I celebrated with my family and friends, and then I was in the World Championships. And I started to think different things and wanted new challenges in my life."