CWMBRAN'S Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jamie Arthur has turned professional and quickly targeted becoming British lightweight champion in two years time.

The 22-year-old scaffolder-turned-boxing pro signed up with big-time promoter Frank Warren's Sports Network company on a three-year deal.

And Arthur, who earned huge plaudits by defeating Zambia's Dennis Zimba in Manchester this summer to claim the lightweight title, is now eager to prove he can mix it with the sport's elite.

His first chance to shine in the pro ring could come as early as January in Cardiff where he may share the limelight with other rising Gwent stars Bradley Pryce and Gavin Rees.

"It would be great if my debut was in Wales," said Arthur. "There seems to be a lot of support for me out there which is great."

But Arthur reveals that his decision to turn professional wasn't as easy as some may think.

There was an option of remaining as an acclaimed amateur and going for more gold glory at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

But the Welshman, who has a three-year-old son Daniel, declares that he opted to put his family first.

"I have a young family to look after and the time was right to sign now because I could get a good deal," explained the first Welshman to win Commonwealth Games gold since Howard Winstone clinched the bantamweight title in front of his home fans in Cardiff 44 years ago.

"It's just a case of trying to see what I can do now. I didn't want to look back in 20 years and think 'I could have done that!'"

Arthur, who will now be looking to topple the likes of British lightweight king Bobby Vanzie, added: "If I had gone to the Olympics and hadn't won a medal, then everything I achieved at the Commonwealth Games would have been forgotten."

Arthur's allegiance to Warren has already been made by the likes of Newbridge's WBO super-middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe, Pryce, Rees and fellow Cwmbran fighter Gary Lockett who steps back into the ring against Chris Saunders at the Derby Storm Arena on November 23.

New kid on the block Arthur knows, though, he has some hard acts to follow in Warren's camp, admitting: "He (Warren) is a businessman. If I don't perform for him, then we won't be on the best of terms."

Arthur has also quickly accepted the inevitable split from long-term trainer Chris Manley. The pair had been together since Arthur began boxing 13 years ago but Manley's job will keep him from coaching the Welshman on a full-time basis.

Arthur is now with Nicky Piper's former trainer Charlie Pearce but promised: "Myself and Chris haven't fallen out."