Olympic medallist Richardson turns professional

Olympic bronze medallist Lewis Richardson has turned professional, ending months of deliberation about his future.

The 27-year-old was Britain's only boxing medallist in Paris last year, winning two bouts before losing to Mexico's Marco Verde on a 3-2 split decision in the light-middleweight semi-finals.

Richardson, from Colchester, has joined Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions stable after GB Boxing confirmed on Thursday that he was no longer a member of their World Class Programme.

The date and venue of his first professional bout has yet to be confirmed.

"My inspiration as a professional is to go all the way, to win a world title. I remember watching the likes of Joe Calzaghe, Richie Woodhall and in more recent years, of course, the likes of Tyson Fury," Richardson said in a Queensberry video.

"Years and years of experience, Frank has. It gives you goosebumps knowing you are joining a very illustrious group of fighters."

Promoter Warren said he had signed Richardson because he was an "A-star amateur" who will make his mark on the pro ranks very quickly.

Richardson originally took up boxing as a way of keeping fit for football, but became a national schoolboy champion in 2012.

His amateur career was interrupted by stress fractures in his back but he achieved a medal double in 2022, winning silver at the European Championships in Armenia and bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

He followed that with more success in Paris but said last November that he wanted more time to "navigate my path" between turning pro or aiming for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

In a post on X, GB Boxing said: "We thank you for your commitment to the WCP since joining us back in January 2018.

"Wishing you all the very best for the future, forever a part of the GB Boxing family."