Photo by: Naoki Fukuda

One of the breakout stars of the Rio Games has caught the attention of the sport’s biggest attraction.

USA Boxing’s Shakur Stevenson has made a fan of Floyd Mayweather Jr., who is in Rio to scout potential fighters for his promotional company, Mayweather Promotions. But Mayweather was an admirer before the Olympic Games, when time the amateur sparred several months ago at the Mayweather Boxing Club.

“The first time I ever saw him box, we were interested (in signing him to a pro contract),” Mayweather told reporters on Tuesday, according to Yahoo Sports. “We thought he was a pro because he was boxing another up-and-coming top fighter, and he looked unbelievable.”

Newark’s Stevenson, 19, further burnished his credentials by winning his quarterfinal bantamweight match on Tuesday against Mongolia’s Tsendbaatar Erdenebat with Mayweather in attendance. Later, Mayweather stood next to Stevenson and offered him the ultimate compliment. “I see the next Floyd Mayweather,” the recently retired fighter said of Stevenson. “If anybody can break my records, this young kid here can do it. I truly believe in him.”

Stevenson could hear Mayweather yelling from the stands during his match, offering advice. “I wasn’t expecting him to come,” Stevenson told reporters. “And then he jumped over the balcony, like ‘Augie!’ – talking to coach Augie (Sanchez). So I got excited and I got a little nervous. But I got it done. Of course I’ve got to listen, once I hear Floyd talking.”