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Joshua hopes to call upon Lewis when he turns pro

Anthony Joshua is expected to turn professional before too long © PA Photos

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Olympic gold medallist Anthony Joshua would love to have Lennox Lewis in his corner if and when he decides to turn professional.

Joshua, who won super-heavyweight gold at London 2012 despite not being considered a favourite in the run-up, currently remains an amateur but is widely expected to join the paid ranks in the near future - beginning his journey towards an eventual world title fight.

Joshua, who has spoken to Lewis on many occasions, revealed the former world champion has advised him to turn professional sooner rather than later, believing he has the talent to do well against the best in the sport.

"Lennox told me to turn professional now, capitalise on your platform while you've got it and probably stay in the UK at the moment," Joshua said, according to The Sun.

"He said it was best that I turn professional now because it's not like the Cubans who have to stay amateur -- I don't have to stay amateur.

"I could turn professional and give it a good shot. That's his advice."

Lewis, who has generally kept a low profile since his retirement, has only recently turned his attention towards training fighters, notably helping David Price in the build-up to Saturday's vital rematch with Tony Thompson.

And Joshua admits he would love to have Lewis to call upon if and when he turns professional, noting that Lewis achieved everything in his career that the youngster now hopes to.

"There's a lot of stuff that goes on that we don't see. Just speaking to him I can only gain," Joshua noted. "He went to the Olympics and did well, turned professional and beat the best in Britain, beat the best in America and then retired.

"It looks pretty simple and straightforward, but there's a lot more that goes on. That's why I'd love to have someone like that in my corner."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.