Anthony Joshua inks new deal with Matchroom Boxing

Anthony Joshua (14-0, 14 KOs) certainly looks the part of a future heavyweight champion. He's physically imposing, to say the least, and has an Olympic gold medal to add to his bona fides. He's also one of the top prospects in entire sport. So, with things only looking up for Joshua, and in order to keep a good thing going, he decided to re-sign with Matchroom Boxing for the next three years.

"I have been part of the Matchroom family for a number of years now and I am really excited that the relationship will be continuing," Joshua said. "They have an exceptional and passionate team from (promoter) Eddie (Hearn) downwards. Matchroom have provided me with the perfect platform to get my professional career started and there was never a question that they were the guys, with Sky Sports, to help move me to the next level and ultimately to a shot at the Heavyweight World Championship."

In my view, Joshua could be ready for a title shot sooner than later, particularly since the heavyweight division isn't all that deep anyway. In fact, I wouldn't mind seeing him take on Deontay Wilder in short order. But being that Joshua is young, and only has 14 professional fights under his belt, it appears that Eddie Hearn won't throw in into the deep end too soon, hoping to develop and refine his game a bit more. Either way, Hearn is obviously ecstatic to retain one of his more marketable talents for the foreseeable future.

"Anthony has already become one of the hottest commodities in world sport and we are blessed with the responsibility of helping to guide Anthony Joshua to the world heavyweight title and ultimately unifying the division," said Hearn.

How many more fights do you think Joshua needs before he's ready to go for a title shot?