Joe Joyce, in blue, is one of two British Olympic boxers to have signed a deal with the promotional outfit partly headed by former world heavyweight champion David Haye ©Getty Images

Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce is set to turn over to boxing’s professional ranks after signing a deal with the promotional company partly headed by former world heavyweight champion David Haye.

The heavyweight is one of four new signings made by Hayemaker-Ringstar, which Haye runs in partnership with Swiss professional boxing promoter Richard Schaefer.

Joyce's fellow British Olympian Qais Ashfaq, a bantamweight, is also joining Hayemaker-Ringstar.

They are joined by Scotland’s Willy Hutchinson, a former European junior gold medallist, and mixed martial arts fighter Michael Page of England.

Joyce finished second on the podium at last year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro after losing the super heavyweight final to France’s Tony Yoka on a split decision. 

Yoka is also signed to Ringstar but solely with Schaefer and not in conjunction with Britain's Haye, the former World Boxing Association heavyweight champion.

Among Joyce’s other main achievements were gold medal-winning super heavyweight performances at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the 2015 European Games in Baku.

He also claimed a bronze medal at the 2015 International Boxing Association World Championships in Doha,

It is expected Joyce will pushed through the ranks quickly given the fact he is 31-years-old and starting out his professional career relatively late.

"I think I’m going to be a little bit fast tracked," Joyce, a force for the British Lionhearts in the World Series of Boxing (WSB), told Boxing News.

"I’m ready.

"I’ve done 15 WSB fights, I’m well on my way already.

"I’m a mature experienced heavyweight.

"It’s a lot different [at his new gym].

"It’s not a squad mentality, it’s about myself and my progress and trying to fine tune my pro skills and I’m enjoying my new routine at the Hayemaker gym."

Qais Ashfaq competed for Great Britain at Rio 2016 ©Getty Images
Qais Ashfaq competed for Great Britain at Rio 2016 ©Getty Images

Ashfaq has also competed for the British Lionhearts in the WSB, which sees teams representing franchises across the globe compete in a league format that leads to play-offs and a final.

He claimed a Commonwealth Games silver  medalat the Glasgow 2014.

The following year, Ashfaq won silver at the European Championships in Bulgarian town Samokov and bronze at the 2015 European Games.

His move into the professional ranks comes less than a year after he lost to Thailand’s Chatchai Butdee in the first round of Rio 2016

"It’s finally here," Leeds-born Ashfaq told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

"I have turned pro and I am so happy to have joined David Haye and Hayemaker Boxing.

"This is the start of something special.

"Hard work, dedication, belief.

"This is my time.

"David Haye is in my corner and I can’t wait to get started."