KEITH Mayo says that Danny Bharj is a changed man after signing on him on a professional contract again.

The former Walcot amateur was due to join the paid ranks in 2011 with Mayo’s KM Promotions, but never made his debut.

However, the 25-year-old is now back in training and Mayo is hoping that the former National Schoolboy and Junior ABA champion can finally realise his potential in the squared circle.

“Danny Bharj did sign up before but for one reason or another we didn’t get him out,” Mayo said.

“But he seems switched on and is starting to train hard so we are looking for big things from him.

“He’s always been around with the intentions of what he wants to do, he has had big dreams.

“I think that he got a bit side tracked due to his age and going out with his mates, the boxing went on the back foot.

“But I think that he realised what he is missing, he is getting older and time is getting on.

“Potential-wise he could have gone a long, long way. Now we need to see if he can get that back - he is a little bit special.

“Danny has got big potential, everybody tells him, it is about doing the hard work, the training side of things.”

Bharj, who is set to compete at either light-welterweight or welterweight, will be trained once again by Islan Eltuyev who guided him at Walcot.

And the trainer has been pleased with what he has seen from Bharj.

“He is hungry, he looks committed 100 per cent,” Eltuyev said. “He is ready to go again - he just needs to keep training.”

Bharj is one of three new fighters that will be joining the Mayo stable, which includes Penhill’s IBO super-middleweight intercontinental champion Kelvin Young and Swindon’s Southern Area cruiserweight title holder Lawrence Bennett.

Hereford fighter Dean Evans is set to turn professional at the age of 33, while Weymouth’s Brian Wayne is also about to sign forms.

“Danny is all signed up and had his medicals, Dean has had medical and just needs to have his scan to get his licence and then he is ready to go. It is all going in the right direction,” Mayo added.

Despite Evans’ age, Mayo is looking forward to seeing him in action.

“Dean has gone as far as he can as amateur, he had a good amatuer so we will see how he gets on,” he said.

“We’ll get him out in the autumn and see how far that we can take him.”