Joshua's intentions to turn professional were made completely clear yesterday morning following months of speculation when the British Amateur Boxing Association (BABA) confirmed his departure from their World Class Performance Programme (WCPP).

But the Londoner had high praise for the programme and those that had assisted him on his meteoric rise to World Championship silver medallist and Olympic gold medallist as he prepares to make his professional bow in less than three months' time.

"I'd like to give a big thank you to Finchley ABC (Amateur Boxing Club) where I began and had my first bout, and a big thank you to GB Boxing, that took me from complete novice to ABA (Amateur Boxing Association of England) champion to number one in the world and Olympic gold medallist," said Joshua, who spoke alongside new promoter Eddie Hearn, head of Sky Sports Boxing Adam Smith and Sports Partnership co-founder James Williamson.

(Left to right) Adam Smith, Anthony Joshua, Eddie Hearn and James Williamson spoke at the press conference which introduced Joshua as a professional boxer with Matchroom

"As they say, behind every successful person is a big team, and they've given me the foundations to move into the professional ranks, to take that formula as an amateur into the professional ranks and potentially become a great ambassador for professional boxing and hopefully to become number one in the world at some point in the future.

"I'm so determined and I know what I have to do to make my dreams come true, and I'm willing to sacrifice anything in order to create this destiny and make everyone in Britain proud of me.

"This is the beginning, this is carpe diem, this is my time to seize the day, seize the moment and just keep on building and climbing that ladder."

The 23-year-old from Watford has been the subject of huge media speculation with regards to his future following his Olympic title win, but the AIBA's new competition that would mean fighters could compete professionally yet still compete in the Olympics was not enough to nullify the lure of joining the professional ranks.

"It's new, it's not solid yet," Joshua said when asked why he opted to go professional instead of joining the new competition.

"It's a long term deal, there's no TV exposure, and if I'm going to be fighting as an amateur/professional boxer, I may as well do the real thing and turn over and compete as a professional boxer.

"I'm not going to do it half-way, I'm going to do it the full way."

But Joshua did admit that the thought of staying as an amateur fighter had been on his mind since his Olympic title win at London 2012.

"A lot of the decision came down to my development as a fighter," he said.

"After the Games I thought I could definitely go on to Rio [2016] and try and capture a second gold medal, so I looked at that option, and I looked at the professional option.

"After winning the ABA, I didn't even know about Olympic boxing, I just thought it was win the ABA then turn professional.

"After the Games I was thinking about staying on for a long time and I met with Eddie and a lot of other people, listened to a lot of people, sieved out all the rubbish, kept all the good parts, and I'm here now.

"I feel in my heart and in my mind that this is what I want to do and I know what I'm getting involved in, so moving forward, I don't think I'll ever regret this decision."

It was also confirmed that Joshua's first bout will be six rounds of three minutes, topping a bill at London's O2 Arena on October 5 which will feature the likes of former world title challenger Kevin Mitchell, Lonsdale belt contender Lee Selby and, potentially, fellow London 2012 gold medallist Luke Campbell and bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo according to Hearn, who spoke of his delight at finally getting his man.

Eddie Hearn (left) spoke of his joy of finally securing Anthony Joshua's contract, and confirmed details of four fights for his new man this year

"For me this is a very pleasing day, obviously," said Hearn.

"We've all seen what Anthony Joshua has achieved in just 43 amateur fights; a silver medal at the World Championships and of course culminating in a gold at the Olympics in London last year, and finally I believe that we have a heavyweight from this country that we can get very, very excited about.

"For me, Anthony Joshua has got it all, he's got speed, he's got power, he looks the part, he talks the part and I think we've got the perfect ambassador, not just for British boxing, but for British sport.

"As we all know, British boxing is on a huge high at the moment, and for me, Anthony is the perfect role model to lift the sport even further.

"He is a perfect ambassador, and I'm delighted to welcome Anthony to the world of professional boxing and to Matchroom."

Sky Sports boxing chief Adam Smith added: "I've given up an important family occasion to be here today because I wanted to show him and Eddie our support at Sky, we really are very, very excited.

"I wonder if we'll be looking back in a few years, thinking that this is where it all started, this amazing adventure.

"It's not easy - ask [Sydney 2000 Olympic gold medallist] Audley Harrison about that - but it can be done - ask [Seoul 1988 champion] Lennox Lewis.

"We couldn't be more delighted to have Anthony Joshua on Sky."

The opportunity for huge exposure on Sky Sports was believed to be a key component in Joshua's decision to join Matchroom, and although he does admit it had an influence on his decision, he reiterated that the experience and aspirations of Eddie Hearn and his father Barry, who founded Matchroom Sport and serves as chairman of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC).

"That was interesting to me, but besides that, Matchroom Sport, the fighters that they've got at the minute, the way they're heading and where they're taking their fighters, I've been seeing what they've been doing and doing my research and obviously TV was important to me, but Matchroom are a really good platform," said Joshua.

It has been reported that other potential suitors also took a major interest in Joshua, including legendary former Olympic and world champion Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, who signed up Britain's London 2012 middleweight bronze medallist Ogogo to a professional deal earlier this year.

But Joshua is in no doubt that the decision to join Matchroom is the right one to push him to the top of the professional game.

Joshua is set to top the bill at the O2 in his first professional fight, with Lee Selby and Kevin Mitchell confirmed for the undercard

"I began at Matchroom when I first started looking at professional contracts, and Eddie advised me to take time out and look at every offer, look at the best option for me to move forward," said Joshua.

"So I've gone around the world, spoken to different people, got advice from great champions and after a long period of negotiating and speaking over my future plans, Matchroom was most definitely the best platform for me.

"I've built a relationship with Eddie Hearn and Barry Hearn over the past couple of months and I've got to know them personally outside of boxing and they seem like great people.

"I'm happy with their team, I'm happy with my team and I'm sure this will be a road to success."

Hearn also went on to confirm further fights for his new signing later this year.

"The plan is quite simple for Anthony, to box a minimum of eight times per year," he said.

"We'll be looking to box four times between his debut and the end of the year, including October 5 at the O2, the end of October at Sheffield Arena on the Kell Brook undercard and on the [Carl] Froch-[George] Groves undercard as well."

Joshua's first fight will be broadcast live on Sky Sports from the O2 in London, and tickets are now available here. 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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