Two-time Olympic boxing champion Nicola Adams turns professional

Team GB's Nicola Adams celebrates after confirming her place in the semi-finals of the European Games with victory over Stoyka Petova on June 22, 2015
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Two-time Olympic boxing champion Nicola Adams confirms that she has signed a long-term deal to turn professional with promoter Frank Warren.

Two-time Olympic boxing champion Nicola Adams has signed a long-term deal to turn professional with promoter Frank Warren.

The 34-year-old flyweight is set to make her professional debut on April 8 at the Manchester Arena, and is also scheduled for a homecoming fight in her native Leeds on May 13.

Adams will not be part of the Great Britain squad in the build-up to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, but could still compete at the Games.

She told BBC Sport: "My hero was Muhammad Ali. I said after watching him I wanted to box at the Olympics and turn pro.

"Together we can help take women's boxing to new levels and I can't wait to get to get in the ring in April and start working towards becoming a world champion."

The Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) approved changes in June permitting professionals to compete at the Olympics.

Great Britain's Qais Ashfaq in action during his bout with Giorgi Gocatishvili of Georgia at the European Games in Baku on June 17, 2015
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