Paris medallist Richardson plans early pro switch

Lewis Richardson reached the Olympics via a qualifying tournament in Thailand

Olympic bronze medallist Lewis Richardson plans to use his success in Paris as a springboard to launch a professional career.

The 27-year-old from Colchester was Team GB's sole boxing medallist in the French capital but his hopes of gold were ended by a 3-2 split decision loss to Mexico's Marco Verde.

Richardson was in two minds about whether to turn pro or chase Olympic glory after winning European and Commonwealth Games medals in 2022.

"I've just fulfilled a massive dream of mine, going to the Olympic Games and coming back with a medal. My profile and marketability has increased as a result. The career plan will be to turn professional in the near future," he told BBC Look East.

"I want to box for major titles, culminating in boxing for and winning a world title in years to come."

Richardson - who visited Colchester United's training ground on Tuesday - won two bouts in the Olympic light-middleweight category before losing to Verde, who was beaten by Uzbekistan's Asadkhuja Muydinkhujaev in the final.

"Boxing is a subjective sport with five judges who are there to decide. It just wasn't to be, but overall I'm happy with my performance and the way I conducted myself," he said.

Having to lose an extra 4kg, having previously fought at middleweight, had been a "massive" challenge, Richardson added.

"I'm a very big light-middleweight - I was a pretty big middleweight as it was, I'm six foot two.

"The struggle was worth it to experience what I did over the last month - my friend said the squeeze would be worth the juice. They'll be memories that will stick with me for life, rubbing shoulders with some iconic sportspeople."