Kenyan boxer Rayton Okwiri has left the country for the USA to step up preparations for a professional bout against American Moshea Aleem on May 19.
Okwiri who failed to earn an Olympic ticket after a brief return to amateur boxing will be fighting in the middleweight category in a bout promoted by legendary Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions.
The former Olimpian has been training in a personal gym under coaches Daniel Shisia and David Kiilu.
"I have been hard at work since the fight was confirmed. I have been training individually with the guidance of my coaches (Shisia and Kiilu) which has helped me maintain my focus for my first full professional bout in the US," said the 35-year-old
Okwiri who has fought five professional bouts, winning four and losing one (5-0-1, 4 KOs) is however not happy for not making it to the Tokyo games but has said that this is the perfect opportunity for him to make a mark in world boxing.
"It was disappointing to miss out on Tokyo but I will use that as fuel to succeed as a professional and this fight is an ideal opportunity for me to show what I am about as a boxer," he said.