The decision by Lomachenko, who won the gold medal in the featherweight at Beijing 2008 and lightweight at London 2012, follows on the heels of the announcement that British Olympic super heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua had signed a deal with Matchroom Boxing.

The 25-year-old Lomachenko is due to make his professional debut on October 12 in a scheduled 10 round bout on the undercard of the Juan Manuel Marquez versus Tim Bradley fight card at the Thomas & Mack Center, in Las Vegas, Nevada against an unnamed opponent, a fight that will be broadcast live on HBO.

"I am very excited and happy with Top Rank's offer and signing the contract," Lomachenko said.

"I know I will have to prove I am the best and make history in pro boxing, but I have no doubts about it, as I did in the amateurs and I will do as a pro."

Lomachenko, along with Joshua, had been one of the main targets of the AIBA's new competition that would mean fighters could compete professionally yet still compete in the Olympics.

Lomachenko, who has also won the last World Championship titles in 2009 and 2011, is considered to be an outstanding prospect with his athletic, aggressive style tailor-made for the professional ranks, many experts believe. 


"I know I will have to prove I am the best and make history in pro boxing, but I have no doubts about it as I did in the amateurs and I will do it as a pro," said Lomachenko, winner of the Val Barker Trophy for the most outstanding boxer at Beijing 2008.

Among the fighters that Arum has previously worked with are Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Evander Holyfield and Oscar De La Hoya.

"Bob Arum knows how to build champions and I know how to fight," said Lomachenko.

"This will make for a good team. I am happy finally that all negotiations are over and I can concentrate on my training and start preparing for my first fight on October 12."

But it was not certain that Lomachenko would sign with a major promoter and he seriously considered staying within the AIBA system so he could chase a hat-trick of Olympic titles at Rio 2016.

"He is one of the most heralded amateurs to go professional in many year," Top Rank President Todd duBoef told ESPN.  

"He's one of those guys some people thought might stay amateur because he's such an icon in his country, but he wanted a professional career and wants to be on the fast track."

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