PROMISING Birkenhead boxer Jamie McKeever has just signed a professional contract with top British boxing promoter Barry Hearn.

Jamie, 18, of Cavendish Wirral ABC, has been boxing since the age of 10 and was trained by Tony Diponio. He has been Wirral's top schoolboy amateur in recent years with seven consecutive North-West titles, and reached the National Finals this year with back to back stoppages, before being narrowly beaten on points. Hearn was impressed with Jamie's ferocious punching power and gave him a three year contract.

Jamie now has a professional licence and will soon be training with Barry Hearn's Matchroom Stable, which includes household names like WBO champion Herbie Hide, and will make his professional debut early in the New Year - hopefully, in a Northern venue for his large Wirral following.

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