"I'm going to focus on winning the gold medal, and after I win the gold medal, I'm going to weigh my options and see what's next for me," he said. But Stevenson spoke adoringly of the retired champion after meeting him earlier in the Rio tournament. Mayweather, who attended Stevenson's fights, subsequently referred to Stevenson as "the next Floyd Mayweather." "If he calls me and tells me stuff, I'll take it, but I'm focused," Stevenson said. "I'm ready. It don't matter who I talk to." Stevenson grew up in Newark, New Jersey, as the oldest of nine children. He was named after rapper Tupac Shakur, who was killed nine months before Stevenson was born.

The success of American boxer Shakur Stevenson in the Olympics _ he fights for a gold medal this weekend _ has raised the inevitable questions about the 19-year-old fighter's professional career. Stevenson has been widely expected to begin his pro career with Top Rank Promotions this fall, but he has another well-heeled suitor: Floyd Mayweather Jr. The recently retired boxer runs an eponymous promotional company, but has no stars under contract with the potential drawing power of Stevenson. Stevenson declined to confirm he had teamed up with Mayweather to be his promoter or in another capacity, grinningly saying he hasn't even decided whether he will go pro.

User Comments and Feedback

I hope he signs with Floyd. Floyd was about the same age when he turned pro. And in a lil over a year, he fought the best guy in his division. If he wants to sell Shakur as the "Next…

In my opinion, Mayweather put his eyes on him since he sparred in his gym, Andre Ward and Mayweather are the favorites fighters of Shakur and Mayweather probably knows that, so he caught Shakur even before he was in the…

[QUOTE=OctoberRed;16962929]Why stay quiet? Mayweather already opened his mouth to millions[/QUOTE] I know you are fuking around with what you say but if all he is looking for is millions then i say go ahead and go with Mayweather who is…

Why stay quiet? Mayweather already opened his mouth to millions

[QUOTE=boxinghead530;16962701]Hopefully Shakur hasnt signed or made any agreements to Floyd just yet. He needs to focus on this Olympic thing first then after he can sit down and see whats out there. The possibility of winning a gold medal changes…