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Team GB captain Stalker turns pro

Thomas Stalker lost in controversial fashion in London © PA Photos

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Thomas Stalker, the captain of Great Britain's boxing squad at the London 2012 Olympics, has signed to go professional with Matchroom.

Stalker becomes the second member of the Team GB 2012 squad to turn pro after Anthony Ogogo joined Golden Boy.

He did not win a medal in London, losing a controversial bout in the quarter-finals to Mongolian Munkh-Erdene Uranchimeg. Stalker blamed the judges for the disputed decision.

The 28-year-old is now set to appear on the undercard of Tony Bellew's March 30 bout against Isaac Chilemba at Liverpool's Echo Arena.

"I feel I am going to be exciting to watch as a professional boxer," Stalker said. "I felt it was time for me to turn professional now and see how far I can go. I have done everything I could possibly do as an amateur, bar winning an Olympic medal.

"Even though I didn't medal myself, as a team I have captained the most successful amateur boxing team we have ever had and that was a big thing for me. It wasn't just a three-week tournament, it had been four years of trying to qualify to win those medals so to see all the lads and women do so well and win medals was amazing and I am very honoured to have captained that team.

"Since the Olympics I haven't had a goal and I have been a bit depressed, especially seeing the other lads doing all sorts of stuff but now I have that hunger back and to get in that ring and fight is going to be amazing.

"The one for me is going to be March, boxing a homecoming in Liverpool. It is going to be amazing for me to be boxing in front of all my friends and family in Liverpool and that is when I will really feel like a professional."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.