By Keith Idec

“Money” talked, but Shakur Stevenson ultimately walked.

Stevenson told RingTV.com on Friday that Floyd Mayweather Jr. was “all talk” in his pursuit of signing the Olympic silver medalist to a promotional contract. Mayweather made it seem as though signing Stevenson was a priority because he traveled to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in August to watch Stevenson fight in the 2016 Summer Olympics.

The retired superstar met with Stevenson in Rio de Janeiro, continuously praised him and at one point on social media welcomed the 19-year-old Newark, New Jersey native to “the Money Team family.”

When it came time to meet Stevenson’s undisclosed asking price, though, Stevenson says Mayweather wasn’t willing to finalize a deal to become his promoter. That’s among the reasons Stevenson eventually went to Top Rank’s office in Las Vegas a couple weeks ago to meet with Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, who promoted Mayweather for the first nine years of his legendary career.

In what was viewed as a surprise throughout the boxing industry, Stevenson signed a contract with Top Rank on Thursday. The left-handed southpaw is expected to make his pro debut sometime in April, perhaps April 8 at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, near Washington, D.C.

“Mayweather, to be honest, he basically hyped me up to think I was on his list, and when the time came they didn’t really send no paperwork or nothing, so he was never really an option,” Stevenson told RingTV.com. “He was all talk. It was very disappointing because of the fact that I looked up to him and I felt he was one of the greatest boxers that ever lived. So it really was disappointing. But it is what it is and everything happens for a reason. I’m ready to turn the page.”

RingTV.com also reported that a source indicated Mayweather might’ve backed off in his pursuit of Stevenson because he was surprised Stevenson said after meeting with Mayweather in Rio de Janeiro that he still was willing to listen to pitches from other promoters. Jay Z’s Roc Nation Sports also pursued Stevenson, who reportedly took less money from Top Rank than he was offered by other promoters because he respects Top Rank’s reputation for building prospects into stars.

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.