Anthony Joshua signs Joshua Buatsi and will manage Olympic star after he joins Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom
Bronze medallist from Rio 2016 will make professional debut next month and fight eight times this year
ANTHONY JOSHUA will manage Olympic bronze medallist Joshua Buatsi after the Rio star turned pro and signed to Eddie Hearn's Matchroom stable.
Light-heavyweight Buatsi will make his big break on July 1 - the first of eight fights this year.
And his career will be guided by world heavyweight champion Joshua, himself a gold medallist from London 2012.
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Buatsi, from Croydon, also won bronze at the European Championships in 2015.
He will make his pro debut on the undercard of Frank Buglioni's British light-heavyweight title defence against Ricky Summers at the O2.
Buatsi, who went back to finish university before joining the paid ranks, said: "Everything for me now is boxing. Before coming here I went for a run, after I will be in the gym.
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"There's competition out there. We're all hungry.
"It's a brutal sport but I'm ready. The pro game will suit me. There's a lot for me to learn but I'm hungry for it.
"After Rio I had to finish my degree then get back in the gym. It's the right move for me.
"My parents drummed into me about finishing my education. After Brazil I had a year left. Let the show begin!"
Hearn said: "We have an outstanding talent. He will be boxing all our major shows. We'll push him all the way to the top."
Joshua himself is yet to announce his next fight after he floored Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley in April.
And he has been encouraged by Lennox Lewis to fight outside the UK if he wants to be considered a true world champion.