Beddington boxer Charlie Edwards signed on the professional line and then declared: “It’s show time.”

The 21-year-old put pen to paper with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom promotions earlier this week, and will make his bow on January 31 at the O2 Arena on the Anthony Joshua undercard.

Flyweight Edwards made the decision to turn professional after becoming disillusioned and tired of six years treading the amateur canvass.

It came to a head when he won the ABA England National Finals over Jack Bateson – a fellow amateur who was earning four times as much as his conqueror.

And a change in qualification for the Olympics left him in no doubt that the time was right.

Edwards said: “It’s been a long time coming. I’ve been part of the GB squad for six years so although I am only 21, I have lots of experience.

“I’ve fought from schoolboy to senior level, and won major medals on the way, and won everything I can in England.

“I was getting bored of the amateur game before the ABAs. I needed a new lease of life because doing the same thing over and over again takes its toll on you and it was time to move on.

Surrey Comet:

Smart lad: Charlie Edwards is Matchroom's newest pro boxer

“Plus the funding went down, I was on £12,000 a year, and the boy I beat in the ABA final was on £49,000 because he was a Sky Scholar.

“It drove me out of the amateur game, why are they giving him all that money and I am beating him.”

He added: “The qualification to the Olympics has changed. You have to get to finals of world and European competitions, but when you’re with England fighting in the Eastern Bloc against the best of the best, you don’t get your just desserts.

“You’re winning your fights and they’re taking them away from you by one or two points. It’s unfair. England are hated everywhere.”

More boxing news: Noble is ready for biggest fight yet

Edwards could have up to five pro fights by April, and there is a potential shot at Zou Shiming (the double Olympic gold medallist, and challenger to the IBF world title in March) in the distant pipeline.

As yet, Edwards does not know the identity of his first pro opponent, but he insists he will not be fazed by whoever steps into the ring, nor about bearing the tag of professional.

He said: “It’s not a step up for me – I have been fighting in Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan against the best of the best.

“I am more excited than nervous. It’s a chance to show all my friends, family and fans what I am capable of.

“As an amateur you fight in these horrible countries, do well and it’s get forgotten about. You’re not on the news, no one is talking about it.

“I’d jump in with Shiming now, he’s been in amateur all the way through with me and he’s likely to be a world champion soon.”

He added: “I know in my own ability, in my training, that I will get to title level and I will get a shot at a world title. It’s time for me to make my name and my money.

“It is show time.”

Follow Charlie @CEdwardsboxing