Con Sheehan won’t be granted a ‘gimme’ win when he makes he debut in America next Tuesday.

The Virgil Hunter trained Irish heavyweight takes on fellow prospect Jonathan Rice at Club Nokia in Los Angeles when he punches for pay for the first time.

Rice isn’t overly experienced and doesn’t boast the amateur credentials of the Tipperary big man, but provides a big debut test nonetheless.

Virgil Hunter had talked about easing the six time Irish amateur champion into the paid ranks, but pitting him against Rice suggests that they are not keen to pad Sheehan’s record.

Rice comes into the California hosted clash on the back of two knockout victories, indeed both if his stoppage wins came in the first round.

Granted one of those opponents hasn’t proved durable throughout his short career, but Rice was the only fighter to take him out before three minutes had passed.

Rice, who has fought three times as a pro, also has a debut draw on his record which came against another undefeated novice in Justin Davenport.