Charlie Hickford makes his professional boxing entrance this weekend - and he’s aiming for the top.

‘Classy’ Charlie has signed with legendary promoter Frank Warren following a stellar amateur career which has seen the Cliffe boxer represent his country internationally on the world stage since the age of 13.

The four-time national champion and two-time European medallist will be making his professional debut at London’s iconic York Hall on Friday night, with the show broadcast live on TNT Sports.

Fighting at featherweight, the 21-year-old boxes out of Chatham’s Ropes & Glory Pro/Amateur gym under the tutelage of his father Steve and the club’s head coach, Dan Woledge Snr.

Hickford said: “I can’t wait for my professional debut, boxing at the York Hall is a real honour for any boxer and I’ve sold a massive allocation of tickets, it’s going to be packed out.

“The support behind me has really been fantastic - I can’t wait to get in the ring, shine, and put on a great show.

“So many world champions have boxed at the Bethnal Green venue, it’s mind blowing and a privilege to be starting my journey there.

“I am so proud to have signed a long-term deal with Frank Warren - he’s a Hall of Fame Promoter, the best in the business with a proven track record of guiding young fighters to the top.

“Combined with a world class manager in Francis Warren, I just couldn’t be in better hands.

“My training camp has been brilliant, sparring with elite European champions and world level guys, honestly, I am buzzing and can’t wait for the first bell.

“The gym’s thriving, the experience and advice I have in the stable with Chatham’s highly decorated brothers Karol and Moses Itauma to look up to, along with a decent crop of senior and junior amateurs coming through the ranks, the futures looking bright for boxing in the Medway towns.

“I am truly blessed, every day, since I first walked in the gym at nine years old, I have dreamed of becoming a World Champion, constantly shadow boxing round the house driving my mum mad!

“For me, its boxing 24-7, it’s a lifestyle I love, and I am so lucky to have the continued backing from my family, friends, sponsors, and old amateur club coaches. They all know who they are and how important and instrumental they have been, and continue to be, in my development.

“I’ve got some great people behind me, and I owe so much to Medway’s Bobby Beck Snr, Repton Boxing Club’s head coach who guided me to win my first national title as a schoolboy, a true legend of the sport and whose achievements as a coach will never be forgotten.

“Signing with Queensberry Promotions is the beginning of a new chapter in British Boxing, I am a special talent and confident in my ability.

“With the support of Queensbury Promotions, CSM Management and my coaching team, I am aiming for the very top in the professional ranks.”

Dad Steve, who will be in his son’s corner on Friday, said: “It’s exciting times, Charlie is very humble, he’s ambitious, he has worked very hard and made a lot of sacrifices over the years to get himself here.

“I have no doubt he will be a world champion but there will be a lot of patience and hard work needed, I am sure he will he get there.

“He has had a fantastic amateur career, travelled the world with England and has had success nationally and internationally. At the end of the day, it is that amateur pedigree which has got him in with Queensbury, they don’t just sign anybody. They have embraced him and he’s over the moon.

“As a boy he would sit and watch Naseem Hamed and Ricky Hatton and the man behind those nights was Frank Warren who is now doing that on the biggest stage with Tyson Fury. It is all there, it is a case of working hard and fingers crossed we can get to the top.”

Hickford picked up the name ‘Classy’ at the Repton gym in London because of the way he fights. Dad Steve added: “He’s a slick little boxer, he doesn’t fight with his face, he fights with his brain. He has got tremendous skill and talent and I think he will be exciting for people to watch.”

Hickford had been looking towards competing in the Olympics as an amateur but there had been uncertainty over the sport being part of the 2024 Games and it is currently ‘on hold’ for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

The Covid pandemic also affected the World Youth Championship programme and an injury from a car crash led to him missing the last of six GB assessments and the senior ABAs. It was then that Hickford decided to turn pro, having recovered fully from the car smash that left him with neck and back injuries after an 80mph shunt.

Dad Steve said: “As much as he wanted to get to the Olympics, with so much uncertainty, he was ready to turn pro.

“He is back fighting fit, fully recovered and ready to shine. It has been a process to get to this stage but now we are ready to go.

“It is a great set-up in Sheffield with GB, you travel the world and box elite amateurs but he wants to be a world champion so he might as well start that journey now.”

The plan is to ease him in for now, with his dad adding: “It’s a new experience in the pro job, smaller gloves, no head guards but Frank Warren has a proven track record of guiding young fighters, it is what he does.

“Look at what he did for Naseem Hamed and Ricky Hatton, he built their careers at the right pace and as much as we know and believe that Charlie is going to go to the top, there is no rush. It is about little steps and getting the right fights at the right time.

“He has dedicated himself from the beginning and has no doubt that he’s going to be the world champion.

“He knows he is a little bit special and so do the people around him.”