Unified heavyweight world titleholder Anthony Joshua is staying put with career-long promoter Matchroom Boxing, signing a new three-year deal that was announced on Friday.
The new deal will commence with Joshua's sixth title defense, which will come against Alexander Povetkin on Sept. 22 at Wembley Stadium in London and will also keep him tied to career-long British broadcaster Sky Sports.
Joshua (21-0, 20 KOs), 28, of England, won the 2012 Olympic super heavyweight gold medal and turned pro under the Matchroom Boxing banner in 2013. Now he is perhaps the biggest boxing star in the world.
"When I decided to become a professional boxer, I felt the boxing market was [stagnant] and in need of new energy. Both Matchroom and Sky have backed me and have given me opportunity after opportunity, and I will always deliver," Joshua said. "They've worked very hard to give me a platform to showcase my skills and tell my story. So choosing to renew our deal was always a matter of when, not if. We have created history together, and we are dedicated to keeping the UK scene in high demand for all boxers and boxing fans, but for me personally, the journey is nowhere near finished yet."
Joshua has been pursued by various promoters and television broadcasters, but Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, who has grown close to Joshua, was pleased he isn't going anywhere.
"I am delighted to extend our promotional agreement with Anthony and also extend his relationship with Sky Sports," Hearn said. "Anthony is a huge part of the Matchroom family, and we have been with him from the debut to unifying the world heavyweight titles. He is the biggest star in the sport, and we look forward to more success, more iconic nights and seeing him become undisputed heavyweight champion."
Said Barney Francis, Sky Sports managing director: "It's great news for Sky Sports viewers that Anthony Joshua will continue his relationship with us into the next decade. Since AJ turned professional with Matchroom on Sky five years ago, we have been there every step of the way. He is a real people's champion and a superb role model for British and global sport."