Anthony Joshua Promises Fireworks on Bumper Night of British Boxing

More than a year may have passed since Anthony Joshua won his Olympic gold medal but the likeable heavyweight has barely had a moment to rest as he basked in the limelight of London 2012 for just a matter of days before getting straight back to what his does best...box.

The 23 year old has barely been able to grab a moment in which to reflect on his sensational achievement as he continued to be a member of Team GB's amateur boxing set-up before making the decision to join the paid ranks.

Now Joshua looks to follow in the footsteps of Lennox Lewis who conquered the amateur world by winning a gold medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics before going onto become the unified heavyweight champion of the world.

However, for every success story there is a flip side to the coin and Joshua must only look back a few years to see what happened to another heavyweight gold medallist. Audley Harrison was a heavyweight champion in the waiting when he turned professional in May 2001.

There was success for Harrison, winning the European title against Michael Sprott was a career highlight, but in the end his potential was never fulfilled as he retired with a record of 31 wins and seven losses.

Joshua will be keen to follow Lewis' blueprint and he certainly has the ability and the desire. On October 5 at the 02 Arena in London he will take the first tentative steps into the professional game.

His opponent is a 32 year old Italian Emanuele Leo who boasts an impressive record of 8-0. He will not be intimated to step into the ring with Joshua but the Londoner will be looking to impress on his debut, and he says to watch out for fireworks.

"I was lucky enough to be a part of the Olympics with the media attention all the way up to the Games, during the Games and beyond, so I'm used to being under the spotlight and I'm comfortable there," said Joshua. "It feels less pressurised than the Olympics really, Leo is coming over with an 8-0 record and will want to spoil the party so it's going to be a tough first fight for me.

"I'm really proud to be making my debut on such a massive show - this really is the big time now. Leo has got in the ring eight times and won eight times so he knows what he is doing and he'll want to make that nine from nine. He'll be feeling the pressure of that record, it's a great feeling to be an undefeated fighter and he'll want to keep that going.

"I am very calm, whoever is put in front of me I'm going to give it my best and I am sure he will. I've been like since the amateur days.

"I've had a lot of time in the gym to work on a lot of things and I'm looking to forward to putting it all on display. I'm in good condition, I think I've improved, I will be nice and relaxed, so I'm in a good place before Saturday.

"We've got a game plan, we've got a few shots that we think will rattle his cage so if it comes together it should be a great night. It's a fantastic line-up with Kevin Mitchell, Lee Selby and my GB team mate Luke on the bill too so it's a must-see night that promises fireworks, and for me, it's the first piece of the puzzle."

Joshua will make the headlines but, as he mentioned, there is a vast array of talent on show, including undefeated super bantamweight Scott Quigg. The 24 year old was awarded the WBA title but is determined to put on a show against the dangerous Yoandris Salinas in in order to prove he is a worthy world champion.

"On paper I'm a world champion, but I don't want to be given the title. I've worked so hard from a young age and I want to do it the right way and that's winning it in the ring against a world class opponent.," explained Quigg.

"I don't want to be given it because I don't deserve it yet. I'm expecting the best Salinas to come into the ring and I think my best beats his best."

Also on display on Saturday night is lightweight contender Kevin Mitchell who is keen to get his career back on track in order to push for a world title. Exciting cruiserweight Wadi Camacho will be looking to steal the show, as he so often does, while the 'Welsh Mayweather' Lee Selby will hope this will be his last domestic bout before moving up face world class opponents.

There is also another Olympic gold medallist in action as Luke Campbell looks to record his second professional win after a sensation debut in his home town of Hull when he stopped Andy Harris in the first round.

Campbell said: "The hard work is done and I'm ready to get in the ring again now. I'm going into the fight wanting to perform, whether that is over six rounds or not. I feel better prepared for this fight, I'm adapting to the pro game now and feeling better."

It is a deep card filled to the brim with some of the best talent this country has to offer. From bantamweight to heavyweight, British boxing looks in safe hands.