Former Olympian Darren O'Neill admits turning pro at his age is risky but says he can't afford to spend any more time in an amateur system where results don't always reflect performances.
The Kilkenny man, who will be 34 in September, captained the Irish team in London in 2012 and won gold and silver medals at European and EU Championships as a middleweight/light-heavyweight.
After missing out on Rio at the final hurdle he stayed involved in the amateur setup and reinvented himself as a national title-winning heavyweight.
However, O'Neill now says that if he had to follow the same path again, he would have turned professional sooner.
"I'd love to go to Tokyo. I'd love to do it (The Olympics) again. I definitely believe I have the ability to do so," he told 2fm's Game On.
"But there are a few different aspects involved. It takes a lot of time and effort. For someone who is after buying a house, I don't have that time. I need to have an income.
"I looked at the European Games and said 'God, I would have medalled at that'. But I should have medalled at the last one and didn't get it.
"I know it happens in professional as well but when so much is riding, you just can't rely on the judging, and the refereeing and officiating.
"I would have always recommended 'stay amateur, it's a better game, a safer game, you're more secure in it' but you're not anymore.
"We thought the fallout from Rio would improve it, and I know the IOC are jumping in now and scrutinising it, but there are no guarantees.
"I know there's politics and corruption in every game but it's been sickening.
"For me the Olympic Games were the pinnacle of everything. But if you were to start again, if things continue the way they were, I would recommend get out and go professional early."
O'Neill plans to fast-track his move into the professional ranks and make the most of his remaining time as a boxer.
"I didn't have the time to be able to put into the amateur setup, time to go away on training camps and things like that," he said.
"I have never stopped training. I train three or four days a week anyway, so I'll put another few sessions in on top of it and take a few fights.
"It is a risk. You need to be selling tickets, not just to make money but to not lose money.
"You should start off as a pro with four rounds and build up to six and eight. I'm going straight in at six and skip the four if I can.
"There's talk of a first fight in Belfast in Ocotber and then again in December, maybe Waterford or somewhere else.
"I was asked years ago. (Carl) Frampton and myself were asked at the same time but I wanted to go to the Games."
