Stubbs takes the pro leap

Thomas Stubbs — going pro

BOXING:

OLDHAM fighter Tommy Stubbs has joined Ricky Hatton’s Hyde stable after deciding to turn professional.

The move came just days after his departure from the Great Britain Podium squad preparing for the London 2012 Olympics.

GB coaches decided to remove the 20-year-old former ABA champion following two successive defeats against Irish scrapper Patrick Barnes.

Hatton Promotions issued a statement which read: “Tommy is joining the stable and is expected to make his pro debut in the autumn.

“He was disappointed to be dropped from the GB squad with just a year to go to the Olympics, but he reckons his style is much better suited to the pro game.”

Stubbs’ step-father Wayne Morris admitted it is a bittersweet period in the Northside star’s career and said a return to the GB squad is unlikely, even though the Olympics squad is months away from being finalised.

He added: “It is a shame he has been taken out of the Podium squad. One of the lads still in it, Khalid Yafai, lost to Patrick Barnes by a bigger points margin than Tommy but there is nothing we can do about the decision.

“It could turn out to be a blessing health-wise because Tommy wanted to move up a weight from 52kg, only to be told they had their full quota so it would not be possible.

“It is nice to see Hatton Promotions express their interest in Tommy and turning professional can be a fresh start. Tommy can look forward to a new chapter in his life.”