San Francisco junior welterweight Karim Mayfield, a 32-year-old whose 15-bout winning streak includes eight knockouts, has signed with Top Rank, the company announced on Friday.

Coming off October’s unanimous decision over Mauricio Herrera, Mayfield (17-0-1, 10 knockouts) is being trained by 2011 Trainer of The Year Virgil Hunter.

“Top Rank is extremely happy with the signing of Karim,” said Top Rank matchmaker Brad Goodman. “He is a top fighter who will take on anyone, anytime and that in itself takes deserves credit. Our goal, along with Prize Fight Boxing, is to get Karim to the world championship and win it.”

A former running back on his high school football team in San Francisco, Mayfield calls himself “Hard Hitta” because “I hit everything hard. I don’t win by decision, but by collision.”

“I was maybe 20 years old before I even started boxing. There was a local gym in my neighborhood, and I went to check it out,” said Mayfield.

“I sparred with a kid who had been boxing for a year or so and I did extremely well. It just inspired and motivated me. I’ve been with my trainer, Ben Bautista, since day one.”

Managed by Marlon Sullivan, Mayfield was 54-4 in amateur bouts, winning the 2006 Golden Gloves in San Francisco.

“I am naturally right-handed,” said Mayfield, a six-year professional. “I fight full-time. I also do a little comedy and some fashion design.”