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World amateur champion Frankie Gavin is set to turn professional next week after talks with promoter Frank Warren.
The 23-year-old intends to fight at light-welterweight and could make his debut in February next year.
Gavin and Warren revealed a deal was likely to be concluded next week and the Birmingham fighter will base himself in Manchester with trainer Anthony Farnell.
Gavin told PA Sport: "I haven't signed yet but I'm very close to signing, the deal should be done next week with Frank Warren.
"He made his interest known quite a while ago. He's the best promoter in Britain by far, if not the world."
Gavin hit the headlines in the summer when he was controversially forced to withdraw from the Olympics in Beijing at the last minute after failing to make the weight.
He had been overwhelming favourite to win lightweight gold.
He faced fierce criticism on returning home and was keen not to risk similar heartache by staying amateur until the next games in London 2012.
Asked if his Olympic disappointment contributed to his decision, Gavin added: "Yes, definitely."
Warren is confident Gavin will be a huge hit in the professional ranks.
The Sports Network chief said: "We are nearly there. We've just got a few bits to sort out and hopefully next week we'll make it official.
"What happened at the Olympics was a great shame. He was world champion since the age of 17. I think he's won a medal in every international tournament he has been in.
"He has been a very successful amateur and I'm sure he would have come back from Beijing with a gold medal.
"Anyway, now he's moving on and hopefully he will go on to bigger and better things."
The 23-year-old intends to fight at light-welterweight and could make his debut in February next year.
Gavin and Warren revealed a deal was likely to be concluded next week and the Birmingham fighter will base himself in Manchester with trainer Anthony Farnell.
Gavin told PA Sport: "I haven't signed yet but I'm very close to signing, the deal should be done next week with Frank Warren.
"He made his interest known quite a while ago. He's the best promoter in Britain by far, if not the world."
Gavin hit the headlines in the summer when he was controversially forced to withdraw from the Olympics in Beijing at the last minute after failing to make the weight.
He had been overwhelming favourite to win lightweight gold.
He faced fierce criticism on returning home and was keen not to risk similar heartache by staying amateur until the next games in London 2012.
Asked if his Olympic disappointment contributed to his decision, Gavin added: "Yes, definitely."
Warren is confident Gavin will be a huge hit in the professional ranks.
The Sports Network chief said: "We are nearly there. We've just got a few bits to sort out and hopefully next week we'll make it official.
"What happened at the Olympics was a great shame. He was world champion since the age of 17. I think he's won a medal in every international tournament he has been in.
"He has been a very successful amateur and I'm sure he would have come back from Beijing with a gold medal.
"Anyway, now he's moving on and hopefully he will go on to bigger and better things."