Anthony Ogogo has been told to expect the unexpected ahead of his professional debut against Kieron Gray at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield this evening.

The Lowestoft boxer enters the ring competitively for the first time since winning a bronze medal in London 2012 tonight on the undercard of Amir Khan's fight against Julio Diaz.

But after being skilled in the technical world of the amateur ranks Ogogo understands his fight against Gray will be like nothing he has ever experienced before. And the 24-year-old knows only victory will do to keep his reputation as one of the country's best emerging fighters intact.

'In the amateur ranks all the punches are normally technically very good but it's about getting the job done as a pro,' said Ogogo, who is looking to fast-track his way to a world title fight within three years. 'I've looked at a few videos and Gray's a threat – he throws some unorthodox punches. That's the difference between amateur and pro – it's about getting used to expecting punches from angles you wouldn't expect.

'He will try to rough me up and he will come looking for me in the early rounds but hopefully he will just keep walking on to one of my left or rights. 'I just want to show my boxing ability and I need to concentrate on myself and focus on my strengths to do that. He is durable and he is going to be a threat but if I box to my potential then I should be okay.'

Former British flyweight boxer Micky Cantwell will be in Ogogo's corner although he wants to hold off appointing a trainer for the long-term until he has a few more fights under his belt.

'Micky has got vast boxing experience and has already been a big help in my career,' he added. 'I didn't want to make any final decisions on my trainer at the moment until I know exactly what sort of fighter I'm going to be.

'I'm a blank canvas at the moment and still learning. I don't want to rush into anything so Micky is the perfect choice at the moment.'

Ogogo signed with Golden Boy Promotions at the start of the year after deciding to leave the amateur ranks and he has been pleased with the backing he has received so far.

Golden Boy founder and legendary fighter Oscar De La Hoya sent his new fighter a good luck message this week, telling Ogogo to savour his professional debut.

'He (De La Hoya) has just told me to go out there and enjoy it,' he said. 'You only get one professional debut – very few people get to box on a massive bill like I am, let alone on your debut. It's going to be packed to the rafters and to fight in that sort of atmosphere is why I turned pro. '

See Monday's paper for pictures, reports and reaction from the fight.