By Lewis Richardson, the sole boxing medalist for Team GB at the Paris 2024 Olympics, has defied expectations to secure a bronze in the Men’s 71kg category. With his weight class originally cut from the Olympic cycle, Richardson made an extraordinary drop from 75kg to 71kg, earning his place in Paris through intense qualifying tournaments.
Despite his improbable journey, Richardson’s performances in the ring were nothing short of remarkable. His split-decision loss to Mexico’s Marco Verde in the semifinals was a close call, but Richardson remains optimistic about his future in professional boxing.
Now garnering interest from professional promoters, Richardson is focused on the next chapter of his career. He has set his sights on headlining a fight at his hometown club’s stadium, Colchester United. “Headlining at Colchester United would be a nice little moment in my career,” Richardson shared, reflecting on the support he has received from his local community.
Additionally, a potential rematch with Verde or a bout against American talent Omari Jones, who was also narrowly defeated in the semifinals, could be on the horizon. These matchups promise to bring exciting narratives and challenges as Richardson transitions to the professional ranks.
Reflecting on his journey, Richardson expressed pride in his performance and gratitude towards GB Boxing and the World Class Performance Programme. He acknowledged the competitiveness of his division and emphasized the importance of focusing on performance rather than results. Despite being considered an underdog, Richardson’s perseverance and hard work have placed him among the top in the world.
GB Boxing’s performance director, Rob McCracken, praised Richardson’s efforts, noting that the entire GB squad performed to high standards, even though many narrowly missed out on medals. Richardson’s achievement, along with the success of Cindy Ngamba, who won a bronze medal for the Refugee Olympic Team, showcases the dedication and resilience of GB Boxing athletes.
As Richardson prepares to embark on his professional career, his journey from an unlikely Olympian to a medalist at Paris 2024 serves as an inspiration. With aspirations to achieve greatness in the professional arena, Richardson is poised to make his mark in the boxing world.
