“I want to box for major titles, culminating in boxing for and winning a world title in years to come.”

Richardson – who visited Colchester United’s training ground on Tuesday – won two bouts in the Olympic light-middleweight category before losing to Verde, who was beaten by Uzbekistan’s Asadkhuja Muydinkhujaev in the final.

“Boxing is a subjective sport with five judges who are there to decide. It just wasn’t to be, but overall I’m happy with my performance and the way I conducted myself,” he said.

Having to lose an extra 4kg, having previously fought at middleweight, had been a “massive” challenge, Richardson added.

“I’m a very big light-middleweight – I was a pretty big middleweight as it was, I’m six foot two.

“The struggle was worth it to experience what I did over the last month – my friend said the squeeze would be worth the juice. They’ll be memories that will stick with me for life, rubbing shoulders with some iconic sportspeople.”