Sonny Kerr on Olympic dreams and temptation of going pro

A Scottish boxer says it is tempting to turn professional after his Commonwealth Games success, but is likely to remain an amateur because he dreams of competing at the Olympics.

Sonny Kerr won a bronze medal in the 70kg division at last month's games in Glasgow.

The 21-year-old Aberdonian acknowledged the lure of switching to paid ranks, but said the potential of competing at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles appeared to be stronger.

He told BBC Scotland: "I don't want to peak at this, I want to keep really levelling up now."

He added: "There is a temptation to go professional of course if certain things align, but I am the only Scottish boxer on the GB Olympic programme.

"So the LA cycle is something I would like to stay on for and try and qualify for because that is once in a lifetime stuff really - to be an Olympian."

As part of the GB Academy squad, the light-middleweight boxer spends a lot of his time training in Sheffield.

Being part of that set up is one thing, eventually being picked to represent Team GB at the Olympic games is another.

Kerr certainly has plenty of potential and being a three time Four Nations Elite champion, at three different weights, is proof of that.

He said: "I have just kept plugging away and now hopefully I can reap the rewards.

"It is a hard programme to get on to, only the best get on."

Kerr said he had "big boots" to follow with Josh Taylor, Anthony Joshua and Luke Campbell among the big names he hoped to emulate.

While frustrated not to have finished higher up the podium in Glasgow, Kerr said what he learned would hold him in good stead as he continued his boxing journey.

"That was probably the biggest stage I have been on," he said.

"I have boxed in big tournaments before but it being in Scotland, with the crowd, all the eyes are on you boxing. I thought I was quite composed, I didn't let it affect me."

Kerr added: "It gives me a lot of confidence, but it also lets you know the hard work is paying off.

"Because there have been a lot of years, a lot of fights that haven't gone my way in the past and when you do start to get a little bit of luck, and things go your way, you know it is for a reason so that gives you a confidence in itself."