Boxer Joyce eyes pro ranks after final heartbreak

British super-heavyweight silver medallist Joe Joyce says he wants to turn professional and hopes Floyd Mayweather might be the man to help him do it.

The 30-year-old fine arts graduate suffered a narrow split-points decision loss in the final in Rio on Sunday to the Frenchman Tony Yoka to settle for silver in the final boxing action in Brazil.

He cut a disappointed figure afterwards, but said he hoped he had done enough in Rio to impress Mayweather, the boxing legend turned promoter who has been in the stands scouting for talent and saw Joyce knock out one opponent earlier in the competition.

"I'd like to speak to Floyd if he wants to talk to me," said Joyce.

"He was in the audience. I like his style. I'd like to learn some defence and do some pads with his dad and his uncles.

"I'll be turning 35 if I do another (Olympic) cycle. I think that's a bit too long to wait."

British heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua -- who won super-heavyweight Games gold in 2012 -- was ringside and said he believed Joyce had done enough to beat Yoka and some in the crowd booed to suggest they agreed.

Joyce was the busier fighter throughout and said: "I thought that I'd won it. I was penetrating his guard with my shots, working his body.

"I thought I was doing most of the work and he was just stealing a few shots at the end of the round. I'll have to watch it back to get a clearer picture.

"But I thought I won and I'm sure the viewers at home and the audience thought I won. I definitely outworked him.

"I'm going to have a holiday and have some time off. It doesn't stop. The training is gruelling. It'll be good to have a rest and just chill for a bit and think about what I'm going to do next."