McCracken is currently the performance director of Britain’s Olympic boxing programme and worked with Joshua in the build-up to his gold medal success at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Joshua turned professional in July 2013 and went on to earn the IBF heavyweight belt in April, with the boxer being trained by Tony Sims.

While McCracken will coach Joshua full-time and be in his corner for future bouts, he will also remain in his post at GB Boxing.

McCraken will first be in Joshua’s corner for his world title defence against the United States’ Eric Molina on December 10 at Manchester Arena, with the hope the pair can have similar success to that had with three-time world super-middleweight champion, Carl Froch.

"I have remained close to Rob and the GB Boxing squad since 2012," said Joshua.

"I have consistently turned to him for advice and guidance so I am really excited to have him in my corner, starting on December 10th.

"I would like to put on record my thanks to Tony Simms who will remain in my corner working with Rob as he did to such success with Carl Froch."

Joshua is set to base his training camps at the English Institute of Sport (EIS) in Sheffield, where GB Boxing’s headquarters are located.

He has reportedly returned on several occasions to train with the British team in the build-up to Rio 2016, with his influence seen to have helped superheavyweight Joe Joyce, who went on to win a silver medal at the Games.

McCracken believes the opportunity to train alongside Joshua could help members of the GB Boxing team in the build-up to major events.

"Anthony is a special talent and I am looking forward to working with him on the next stage of his career as he looks to defend his titles and, ultimately, to unify the heavyweight division," he said.

"I know from working with Carl Froch that combining my work coaching a top professional boxer with the role of performance director has mutual benefits and that having a world champion in the gym has a very positive impact on the whole of the GB Boxing squad. 

"It gives the boxers an insight into what it takes to be the best in the world and provides top-class training opportunities that will help to develop and improve the heavyweight and super-heavyweight boxers in the squad."

The board of GB Boxing have expressed their support for the move, claiming it will "have a positive impact on the development of our boxers"