By Edward Chaykovsky
British Olympian Joshua Buatsi was impressive during the recent Olympic games in Rio.
He walked away with a bronze medal and is now mulling the possibility of turning pro or remaining in the amateurs ranks to chase Olympic gold at the games in Tokyo in 2020.
Buatsi admits that he's 50-50 on the overall decision. He won't rush his decision and plans to take a few months to think it over. Promoters Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn have both expressed their interest in him.
"I am in the middle [on what I plan to do]. I could go to Tokyo and get gold. It is the chance to get an Olympic medal but I could also achieve an equivalent if I turn pro. I am listening to everyone right now. I am weighing up my options. I have got a few months I'd like to use to choose my next step and not rush anything. I will come back with some news," Buatsi told Sky Sports.
The British promoters are not the only players who have their eyes on him. Retired pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. flew to Rio to scout for talent. Since retiring last September, Mayweather has placed his focus on his promotional company, Mayweather Promotions.
During his stay in Rio, Mayweather spoke with several top amateurs - and Buatsi was one of them.
"I met Mayweather at the Olympics and had a chat with him. He said 'you're a great fighter and I have been watching you'. He said he saw two of my fights and two knockouts. He thinks I am a good fighter and he's tipped me to be a future world champion," Buatsi said.
"He may say that to other boxers, but that's not important to me. I am going to close my ears on that. He said it to me personally, so I am going to hang onto that. It was nice words from the greatest boxer of my generation and to hear him say it was a compliment."
