FREDDY TURNER has called time on his successful amateur campaign and is preparing to make his move to the professional ranks which will be launched by his debut on the undercard at the Matchroom promotion on February 12 at York Hall, Bethnal Green. The ch

FREDDY TURNER has called time on his successful amateur campaign and is preparing to make his move to the professional ranks which will be launched by his debut on the undercard at the Matchroom promotion on February 12 at York Hall, Bethnal Green.

The choice of venue seems strange, considering he will be managed by Dean Powell, Frank Warren's matchmaker, who is currently arranging the big Wembley 'Night of the Champions' promotion, taking place on the following evening.

However, there is a reason behind the astute Powell's choice, as he explained that it will be better for Turner to make his paid start at the familiar east London hall rather than a down-the-bill fight on the big Wembley show.

Warren's Wembley promotion features the showdown between British heavyweight champion Danny Williams and Derek Chisora, plus Kevin Mitchell's WBO Intercontinental lightweight title defence.

Also on the bill is Nathan Cleverly versus Antonio Brancalion for the vacant European light-heavyweight title.

When he appears on the supporting card at the York Hall show, light-welterweight campaigner Turner, a good ticket seller, will be cheered on by a large supporting squad.

England choice Turner impressed in Repton colours after spells at the Peacock and West Ham clubs, and he scored successes at home and abroad for the Bethnal Green club.

Powell is confident his new signing can make a successful switch to the paid ranks where he will be trained by Peacock Gym's Babatunde Ajayi.

"Freddy showed his class as an amateur and should make a successful switch to the paid ranks," said Powell.

The new pro will make his start on the Friday night Matchroom Promotion with a strong light-welterweight flavour - the two main fights on the night are championship clashes in the 10-stone division.

On the night, TKO Gym-based stylist Michael Grant is looking to come back with a victory, after suffering the first defeat of a 14-fight career.

He challenges Liverpool's unbeaten Steve Williams, with the vacant English title on the line - a fight originally booked to take place last November.

Grant was unlucky to suffer a cut eye when he fought former European champion Jason Cook in the opening bout of the Prizefighter light-welterweight tournament at Olympia last month.

Coincidentally, Cook, from Maesteg in Wales, features in the top-liner on the Matchroom bill at York Hall, when he faces Morden's Lenny Daws in a 12-round battle for the British light-welterweight title.