Stephen Simmons' nerves ahead of pro debut

STEPHEN Simmons has admitted to a bout of nerves as he prepares to make his professional debut on the Ricky Burns-Joseph Laryea world title bill tomorrow night.

The 26-year-old from Edinburgh had been named in the initial British boxing squad for the 2012 Olympic Games in London but decided at the start of this year that the time was right to turn professional under Frank Warren's promotional banner.

Simmons, who claimed heavyweight bronze for Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi last October, will campaign in the cruiserweight division as he seeks to make rapid progress towards a British title shot.

His maiden outing in the paid ranks is against 37-year-old Battersea journeyman Nick Okoth, beaten finalist in last year's Prizefighter tournament, and Simmons is eager to make a positive first impression in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

"I'm a bit nervous going into my pro debut, but that's no bad thing," said Simmons. "I've been boxing at a top level in the amateurs for the last five years, going back to the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, so I should be okay.

"I want to look good on the night but the bottom line is making sure I get the job done with a win and then move on to my next fight."