SUPER-middleweight king Carl Froch has backed Ferndown’s Iain Weaver to “tear up” the pro ranks.

Weaver this week penned his first professional deal with Matchroom Sport after being snubbed by Team GB for the London 2012 Olympics.

The 22-year-old immediately turned professional after being left out of the GB squad for the final Games qualifier in Turkey and, following talks with several promoters, including Ricky Hatton, Frank Warren and Mick Hennessey, opted to join Froch and welterweight star Kell Brook in the Matchroom stable.

Froch, the recently crowned IBF super-middleweight champion and former WBC super-middleweight title holder, said: “Iain is a cracking fighter that belongs in the pro game.

“He is a really talented young guy and a real tough nut. His style is much more suited to the professional scene and a bit like me, he loves a tear up! I’m looking forward to watching him develop and, like the rest of the boys in the stable, I’ll be there to help him out along the way.”

Weaver will make his professional debut at London’s Alexandra Palace on September 8, on the undercard of former Commonwealth middleweight champion Darren Barker’s return to action.

Londoner Barker was forced to pull out of a proposed world title clash against WBO king Dmitry Pirog in May after injuring a hip in training in March.

Weaver, who will fight at super-featherweight, could then return to the ring as soon as October, potentially on the undercard of a rumoured mouth-watering rematch between Froch and Mikkel Kessler.

The Dane is one of only two men to beat Froch and the Nottingham fighter is desperate to avenge that defeat before a possible re-match with former IBF champion Lucian Bute early in 2013.

Weaver, meanwhile, said: “I am really excited about starting out in the professional game.

“I will always have great memories of representing Team GB but this is a new chapter in my life and I cannot wait to get going in September.

“To make my debut on the undercard of a big show topped by Darren Barker – a guy who has fought one of the top three fighters in the world – is just a dream come true.

“I sat down with a number of promoters but only Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Sport can deliver regular big nights and I’m thrilled to be part of it.”

Weaver will be trained by Bromley-based Al Smith and managed by Barker’s trainer Tony Sims.