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.

Last week, the British Lionhearts were unveiled as the UK-based WSB franchise with London 2012 middleweight silver medallist Fred Evans from Wales and bantamweight silver medallist John Joe Nevin of Ireland both involved.

But Joshua, the biggest name currently involved in amateur boxing, was the noticeable absentee from the franchise after the 23-year-old from Watford declined an offer to fight for the British Lionhearts.

But Joshua, who has already received several lucrative deals from professional promoters, admitted that he will be watching the British franchise closely before deciding whether or not he will join up with them.

"I've still got some decisions to make about the WSB," Joshua said at the Apsire4Sport Conference here.

"It is something that is on my mind but I want to sit back and have a good look at it first before I make any decision.

"I will be cheering on the boys this week [when the British Lionhearts take on the United States Knockouts on November 15] so that will be fun.

"But I haven't made any firm decisions on my own future yet.

"At the moment, I feel like I still want to stay amateur and learn my trade but that isn't a final decision."


Joshua, who won silver at the 2011 World Championships in Baku last year, admitted that defending his title at the Rio 2016 Olympics is still a possibility.

"Defending my Olympic title is definitely an option because that is something not many people have done," he said.

"But I've got a few different options on the table that I need to consider."

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