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Nico Hernandez, who claimed a light flyweight bronze medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics in August, is going pro.Hernandez, a 20-year-old from Wichita, Kansas, will make his professional debut on Dec. 10 at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska, on the undercard of unified junior welterweight world champion Terence Crawfords hometown title defense against John Molina Jr.Hernandez, who does not yet have an opponent for his four-round bout, will fight as a 115-pound junior bantamweight after competing in Rio as a 108-pounder.Hernandez said he and his father/trainer Lewis Hernandez discussed the possibility of remaining amateur and trying to improve on his performance at the 2016 Olympics, but Nico said he really wanted to go the professional route.I made the decision because financially it would be better as a pro, Hernandez told ESPN on Thursday. If Im getting punched in the face, I might as well get paid for it. Now theyre letting pros go to the Olympics (as of the Rio Games), so theres really no point in being an amateur boxer anymore since the goal is to make it to the Olympics.At the Rio Games, Hernandez ended the medal drought for Team USAs male boxers, who had not won an Olympic medal since heavyweight Deontay Wilder claimed a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Games. Hernandez won a three-round decision against Ecuadors Carlos Eduardo Quipo Palaxti in the quarterfinals to clinch a bronze.Hernandez wasnt considered a medal favorite when the Rio Games began, but his Cinderella run ended with a decision loss to eventual gold medalist Hasanboy Dusmatov, of Uzbekistan, in the semifinals. Two bronze medals are awarded in boxing.Hernandez, who began boxing at age 9 and was approximately 122-13 as an amateur, returned home to Wichita as a hero. He was feted at a parade, and Wichita State University bestowed him with a four-year, full-ride scholarship.Hernandez went 3-1 during the Olympics and became the first American light flyweight to win a medal since Michael Carbajal -- who went on to have a Hall of Fame professional career -- claimed silver in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Hernandez said he plans to work toward a degree while boxing professionally.I definitely want something [to] fall back on, Hernandez said.But he is anxious to start his pro career.I cant wait to go pro. Ive been wanting to for a while, Hernandez said. I fought without head gear already so it shouldnt be too much different.The 2016 Olympic tournament rules were changed to have the boxers fight without head gear.Although Hernandez will fight on a card promoted by Top Rank, he is not signed to Bob Arums company. Hernandez has a deal just for the one fight. He linked up with Top Rank because his father reached out to Pete Susens, who works for Top Rank but has deep roots in Midwest boxing.Lewis contacted Pete, and Pete called me about a month ago, said Top Rank matchmaker Bruce Trampler. I was a little reluctant because of his weight and being such a small fighter, but Pete said hes a good kid, a good fighter. I said, Let me think about it, and then the geography expert that I am realized Omaha is not too far from Wichita, so we said we would take a look at him.Lewis Hernandez said he expects about four busloads of fans to make the roughly six-hour trip from Wichita to Omaha for the fight.The people in Wichita know Nico, and the people in Omaha know Crawford, so you marry the two and it only adds to the card, said Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti. Weve had some internal discussions about whether we might want to sign him and if we do where we can take him. We want to see him as a pro. Its a small weight class, but maybe hes another Carbajal (who Top Rank promoted). Weve had experience in building Hispanic smaller-weight class fighters.Said Lewis Hernandez: We have other options, but we got to do whats best for Nico. Top Rank wants to take a look at him. Thats the purpose. I thought it would be great. We havent signed with nobody, but Top Rank is in contention. This is a good opportunity for both camps, for Top Rank and for us.Nico Hernandez said he is fine doing what amounts to a tryout for Top Rank.Im real comfortable with it, he said. I feel like once they see me fight and see what I have, opportunities will open for me, and I can sign with whoever is going to give me the best deal. Dennis Schroder Jersey . The Dutchmans tenure got off to a poor start when referee Guido Winkmann awarded a penalty within two minutes for Niklas Starks clumsy challenge on Alexandru Maxim. Shawn Kemp Jersey . 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With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season.With the new Elite League season looming, heres the latest information as teams finalise their plans. Kings Lynn Stars are set for the 2016 season having completed their line-up this week. There is a short term return for GP star Niels-Kristian Iversen who will cover for the injured Troy Batchelor. The Australian suffered a broken arm in the winter and will not be back in time for the start of the season. The Dane has agreed to cover for Batchelor having previously opted to sit out of British racing this season.Stars chief Buster Chapman said: Being able to bring Niels in as cover is a massive boost for us. He always said he would be there if called upon and he was true to his word. He is the ultimate professional and we are delighted that he will start the season for us. We want the team to get off to a great start and when Troy is fit we can continue that on and have a great season. Niels Kristian Iversen has agreed to help out the Stars The final spot in the Norfolk side has gone to Kai Huckenbeck who is a former German U21 champion and two-time winner of the German National Title. Chapman said on the signing: We have to look towards the future and by bringing in Kai as an asset we are doing that. At 23-years-old he has a bright future and he can go very far in the sport.The Stars have also added a number eight to their squad for the new season. Simon Lambert, who had previously agreed to be a reserve, will fill the role. The position enables riders to replace any rider in the main body of the side during the season. A reminder of how Poole Pirates won the last Elite League title Lakeside Hammers have also completed their line-up for the new season. GP star Andreas Jonsson will spearhead the Purfleet outfit in 2016 having been a stand out performer for the club in 2015. He will be joined by fellow Swede Kim Nilsson who impressed last season despite injuries.British racer Lewis Bridger is making his return to racing in 2016 replacing Bjarne Pedersen who was released from the line-up due to a number of fixture clashes.Co-promoter Jon Cook said: Kelvin Tatum (team coach) and I met with Lewis and were very impressed with his preparations to return to speedway. Lewis is Mr Entertainment around the Arena, in 2014 he hit top form andd we expect him to return to and surpass that level with the support of the club.dddddddddddd.Hammer of the year Edward Kennett will also be back for another year with the club, and is likely to share a spot with Richard Lawson at the start of the season due to a number of fixture clashes in the Elite League and Premier League Cup. Robert Mear also makes a return to the sport and will join Lewis Kerr at reserve. The Hammers have also opted to name a number eight for the upcoming campaign with Swede Dennis Jonsson filling the role. Andreas Jonsson will lead the Hammers charge in 2016 Leicester Lions are set for 2016 with the final team spot going to former Danish Under-21 Champion Patrick Hougaard. The Dane rode for the club in the early part of the 2014 campaign before a crash lead him to take time away from British racing.He said: Im excited to be back racing in the UK again. Leicester are racing (on) Saturdays which fits my racing schedule perfect. I have ridden for Leicester before but this time I feel a lot more confident, especially after a good season in 2015. David (Hemsley) has been good to deal with, the team looks solid and Im sure we will have a great year.Swindon Robins were forced into a team change following the news that Dakota North would not be riding in Britain this season. Boss Alun Rossiter quickly swooped for Ipswich asset Rohan Tungate to fill the void. He said: Rohan was in my plans at the start of the year, he was somebody he looked at closely but we decided to go a different way because we had a few more points to play with. We spoke two or three times over the winter and he was always somebody in the back of my mind, so when we knew Dak wouldnt be coming I knew he was who I wanted to speak to. I think hes shown in the winter thats hes kicked on, and I think he needs to now take that next step up and we hope he can do that.Coventry Bees have announced club asset Adam Roynon will be the clubs number eight for the upcoming season.2016 Elite League line-ups:Belle Vue Aces 2016: Steve Worrall, Craig Cook, Richie Worrall, Matej Zagar, Scott Nicholls, Max Fricke, Joe JacobsCoventry Bees 2016: James Sarjeant, Josh Bates, Chris Harris, Danny King, Jason Garrity, Krzysztof Kasprzak, Kacper Woryna. No.8 Adam RoynanKings Lynn Stars 2016: Robert Lambert, Troy Batchelor/Niels-Kristian Iversen, Rory Schlein, Lewis Rose, Mads Korneliussen, Carl Wilkinson, Kai Huckenbeck. No.8 Simon LambertLakeside Hammers 2016: Lewis Kerr, Richard Lawson/Edward Kennett, Piotr Swiderski, Andreas Jonsson, Robert Mear, Lewis Bridger, Kim Nilsson. No.8 Dennis JonssonLeicester Lions 2016: Josh Auty, Paul Starke, Szymon Wozniak, Grzegorz Walasek, Nicolai Klindt, Sebastian Ulamek, Patrick HougaardPoole Pirates 2016: Hans Andersen, Kyle Newman, Adam Ellis, Krzyzstof Buczkowski, Brady Kurtz, Davey Watt, Chris HolderSwindon Robins 2016: Charles Wright, Justin Sedgmen, Stefan Nielsen, Jason Doyle, Josh Grajczonek, Nick Morris, Rohan TungateWolverhampton Wolves 2016: Kyle Howarth, Max Clegg, Joonas Kylmakorpi, Freddie Lindgren, Mikkel Bech, Jacob Thorssell, Sam Masters Also See: Bet on Speedway with Sky Bet ' ' '