Lewis Richardson: Team GB’s Olympic bronze medallist says turning professional is an option

Richardson saved GB Boxing’s blushes after his five team-mates failed to make it to the podium, but the Colchester fighter has faced many setbacks on his way to Olympic success.

He missed out on qualification for Tokyo 2020 and his hopes of reaching Paris were dented when his natural weight class – the middleweight division – was omitted from Paris.

But despite not having weighed 71kg since being a teenager, Richardson dropped down to light-middleweight and even self-funded a tournament in Portugal to gain experience in the division.

“It was a challenge but it was something I wouldn’t change for the world,” Richardson said.

“If that’s the sacrifice I’ve had to make for the Olympic Games and to become an Olympic medallist then so be it.”

Richardson is now eyeing up a new tattoo and is waiting for his picture to be placed up on the GB Boxing headquarters in Sheffield alongside the likes of Anthony Joshua, Amir Khan and Nicola Adams and other Team GB boxing medallists.

“The Olympic ring tattoo is a statement, a respect and honour to have represented your country on the greatest event in the world,” he added.

“To get my picture on the wall at GB Boxing – it goes quite underappreciated how important that is and how valued it is for us.”