Young super middleweight Taylor Bevan will have his second professional fight when he takes on Szymon Kajda at Indigo, at the O2, London, on Friday.

The 24-year-old Welshman enjoyed a productive amateur career, taking part in around 100 contests (winning roughly 80 of them) and notably claimed silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

He had aspirations of going to the Olympics in Paris last year, but they were snuffed out at the qualifying stage.

"I could have waited for the next one but it's four-years away - it's a long time," Bevan (1-0, 1 knockout) told The Ring last week. "I thought now's a good time to do it, I'm at a good age. [And I] had the great opportunity [to stay] in Wales to do it with [trainer] Colin [Jones.]"

Bevan, who was born in Wales but grew up in Southampton before moving back to his place of birth, has so far not found too much of a difference between being an amateur and professional.

"Training is a little bit more, things have slowed down, so I can take my time a bit more," he explained. "I'm used to the runs; we're doing the same one as we used to do when I was training for the Commonwealth Games. A few more rounds on the bag, sparring is always at least six-rounds now. S&C is pretty similar just more structured now. Working on strength rather than doing lots of repetitions. I still feel I've got a little room to fill into the weight as well. I'm pushing myself in S&C to put on a bit of size and strength.

"You get more structure with your camp because as an amateur you don't know when you'll be boxing, so you've got to stay in peak fitness all year around. I've got a structured eight-week camp now before every fight, which I prefer.

"In term of competing, I've only had one fight, so it wasn't majorly different. I had similar nerves to when I was walking out at the Commonwealth Games for my debut."

When he made his debut, it provided him with the chance to reconnect with in his fan base.

"It was good as in a lot of people haven't been able to watch me in years got to come and support me," he said. "The last time [before my pro debut] I boxed in the U.K was at the Commonwealth Games, so a long time ago."

The showpiece event proved to be something of a shop window for the youngster.

"Since the Commonwealth Games, a few people have been in contact, managers and things like that," he said. "I got speaking to the manager I'm with now, Brian Peters, he arranged it with [Matchroom chairman] Eddie Hearn for me. We met [Eddie] at my debut, it's been good."

Having harnessed the experience of making his debut, Bevan welcomes his upcoming fight with Poland's Kajda (1-0-1, 1 KO).

"[I'm] just looking forward to [this fight], feeling in good shape," he said. "I enjoyed my debut; it was all new experience. I feel I'll be able to settle into it a bit more and enjoy the week as a whole, cause I know what it's about. I'm just looking to step up a little bit each fight and eventually prove the level I'm at."

The elephant in the room is, of course, Joe Calzaghe, who was also not just a super middleweight but the most successful Welsh fighter in history.

"It's big footsteps to follow," he said with a laugh. "If I can follow in his footsteps, I'll be more than happy!"

For now, he'll focus on learning his trade at the Sports Institute of Wales under Jones' guidance.

"I just want to stay active this year," he said. "In terms of my opposition, gradually build it up. My management team will pick my opponents and I'm sure they'll do a good job with that, is pick the right opponent at the right time, which is what I need. I've got a contract with Matchroom, so I box nine times over the first two-years. As active as I can be this year would be great.”

Bevan's trainer, former three-time world title challenger, Colin Jones, who has been head of the Welsh national amateur team for 18-years, is optimistic his young charge can make the same waves in the professional game as he did in the unpaid ranks.

"He's had quite a successful amateur career and he's proved he can follow on in his debut," said Jones. "He did everything right, he prepped right, he's a good listener, he learns quick. He's a good all-rounder really, he's good mid-to-long range fighter.

"I'm sure you'll see him improving from fight to fight now. I think he's good enough to go on and do good things."