This astonishing scenario could happen now the International Boxing Association (AIBA) who govern what used to be called amateur boxing have raised the Olympic age limit from 36 to 40 and may allow selected professionals to compete.

And, as insidethegames has already reported, Klitschko - who currently holds the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles and who will be 40 by the time of Rio Olympics in 2016 - has strongly intimated that he is keen to add to the Olympic gold he won for Ukraine in Atlanta 17 years ago.

This may well influence any move by London 2012's super-heavyweight champion who has received numerous professional offers.


If he is to remain part of the GB squad he should have renewed his funding contract with them a fortnight ago, but GB Boxing chairman, Derek Mapp, says they have given him an extension.

Joshua, 23, has resumed training at the GB set-up in Sheffield after a foot operation and he may decide to stay on for Rio under AIBA's hybrid system which permits boxers to compete for cash in their new APB (AIBA Professional Boxing) tournament and for the British Lionhearts in World Series Boxing, which also substantially rewards boxers financially.

"It is a route I am seriously considering," he said.

"I don't want to lose my love of the sport and some of the things thrown my way from the pro ranks are not about the love of the sport but what you can get out of it.

"I still have a great deal to learn and I could make history as a double Olympic gold medallist."

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