Kent’s newest professional boxer could be the real deal.

Martin McDonagh has won multiple titles as an amateur, including a prestigious GB elite title, but will now be plying his skills in the paid ranks.

It’s a new challenge for the Sheppey boxer and coach Billy Rumbol believes now is the right time.

Rumbol said: “He works so hard and he’s hungry for it. He’s a scaffolder but he doesn’t want to be doing that all his life.

“He has just had a tremendous season and we feel that now is the right time.

“Our aim is to be winning a British title. He has the amateur pedigree, the self-discipline and the ability and there is no reason why he can’t go on and do that.”

McDonagh said: “I’m looking forward to this journey now and hoping to do big things and light up the pro game in Kent again.”

He already has around 80 amateur fights and since joining forces with Rumbol – a former pro himself – he has taken his game to another level.

He is a three-time national elite champion, an elite national finalist, an NAGBC champion and two-time southern counties elite champion.

His GB elite success came after beating a five-time Scottish champion and then a nine-time Welsh title-holder to take
the win.

It’s that amateur success which makes Rumbol so confident of seeing McDonagh prosper as a professional light welterweight.

Rumbol said: “It’s not going to be easy. There are going to be plenty of challenges and he’ll be coming up against journeymen fighters who will be rough and tough and headbutting. He’ll also be coming up against some really good ones as well.

“We’ll ease him in, we’ll look after him and he is still relatively young so there is no need to rush. He’ll have to do his apprenticeship in the pro game, starting with four-round fights and then we’ll start building him up.”