The WSB, which is owned by the International Boxing Association (AIBA), is currently the only professional boxing competition in the world that allows fighters to compete professionally but retain their Olympic eligibility.

UK-based WSB franchise British Lionhearts have just signed up to the WSB and they have already made an impressive start to the competition, defeating USA Knockouts in their first match in California before routing reigning champions Dolce & Gabbana Italia Thunder at Celtic Manor in Newport, Wales, last Friday (November 23).

The franchise have already secured the serviced of London 2012 middleweight silver medallist Fred Evans of Wales and bantamweight silver medallist John Joe Nevin of Ireland but the addition of Joshua could prove hugely lucrative in terms of marketing and television rights for the British Lionhearts.


"I'm really interested in WSB but I don't just jump into things," Joshua told insidethegames.

"I like to take my time and see what is going on.

"So that is where I'm at right now.

"I just want to take a good look at WSB before I commit but I have to admit that I have been really impressed with what I have seen so far.

"I've been watching the boys compete for Britain and they are looking really good.

"One day I would like to be a professional but there is no rush for that.

"Right now, the WSB seems like the best thing for me and I think I would like to give it a crack."

The 23-year-old from Watford has already received several huge offers to turn professional but admitted that he wants to stay involved in AIBA Olympic Boxing (AOB) for at least another year.

This is because Joshua is targeting gold at 2013 AIBA World Boxing Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, after he won silver in the event in Baku last year.

"It is definitely still my goal to become AIBA world champion," Joshua said.

"To do that would be incredible.

"The only English person who has ever done that is Frankie Gavin [who won lightweight gold at the 2007 AIBA World Boxing Championships in Chicago].

"So to get that title would be really special and it is definitely something that I am thing about."

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