Joshua set for professional debut

Anthony Joshua will make his professional debut at London's O2 Arena on October 5

25 July 2013

Olympic gold medallist Anthony Joshua will make his professional debut on October 5 after finally announcing his decision to turn his back on the amateur code.

Joshua has signed with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom organisation and will have his first paid outing on a show at London's O2 Arena.

Matchroom confirmed the details in a statement which read: "Anthony Joshua MBE has signed a long-term promotional deal with Matchroom Sport and will make his debut at The O2 in London on October 5, live on Sky Sports."

Joshua has not fought since his thrilling countback win over Italy's Roberto Cammarelle on the final day of last summer's Games. Joshua tweeted: "I'd like 2 thank Finchley ABC & I'd also like to thank @gbboxing for everything they have done for me. The time is upon us!"

The British Amateur Boxing Association said in a statement: "[BABA] has confirmed that the 2012 Olympic super-heavyweight gold medallist, Anthony Joshua MBE, will not be part of the GB Boxing squad in the 2013-17 Rio cycle.

"His contract with the BABA finished at the end of the 2009-2013 London Olympic cycle and he has now left the World Class Performance Programme to pursue other career opportunities."

Great Britain performance director Rob McCracken said: "Anthony is a very talented sportsman who has enjoyed a meteoric rise to become Olympic champion, less than four years after he first began boxing.

"Naturally, it is a disappointment for us that Anthony has decided his future lies away from the GB Boxing programme, but he departs with our very best regards and we wish him every success in his future career."

Joshua will not be short of future targets in a burgeoning domestic heavyweight division headed by Haye and Fury. But Joshua's new backers will be keen not to rush him through the ranks. He only joined the Great Britain podium squad in 2010 before winning a World Championship silver medal the following year.

Joshua is be the fourth member of Great Britain's 2012 Olympic boxing team to turn professional, following fellow gold medallist Luke Campbell, middleweight bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo, and Thomas Stalker.