pro boxers in the Olympics

[JMac]

I am hearing that it will be possible that boxers who compete in AIBA's world boxing league will also be able to box in the Olympics. I don't know any details or how many pro fights they can have or if they don't box in the league but are say 4 round pro fighters, will they be allowed to box in the Olympics.
I do know that there is another group out there in Florida that is also starting a world boxing league that would do the same thing AIBA wants to do, using the same name. They have a web page describing it. I see law suits coming on this one.

[boxmel]

I am hearing that it will be possible that boxers who compete in AIBA's world boxing league will also be able to box in the Olympics. I don't know any details or how many pro fights they can have or if they don't box in the league but are say 4 round pro fighters, will they be allowed to box in the Olympics.

The last I heard was that the IOC said no to pros boxing in the Olympics...... :?? :??

[Dennis]

My belief is AIBA is planning on allowing boxers in their league to compete in amateur tournaments. It won't be up to them for the Olympics, but look at a lot of other sports. I think it could happen.

[Dennis]

The reason for my belief is their new rule (September 2008 rulebook) that talks about pro boxers:

2.4.1. Any boxer taking part in a non-AIBA professional competition is not allowed to compete
in any AIBA Approved Event.

This would imply that a boxer taking part in an AIBA professional competition would be allowed to compete in any AIBA approved event.

[JMac]

The reason for my belief is their new rule (September 2008 rulebook) that talks about pro boxers:
2.4.1. Any boxer taking part in a non-AIBA professional competition is not allowed to compete
in any AIBA Approved Event.
This would imply that a boxer taking part in an AIBA professional competition would be allowed to compete in any AIBA approved event.

Exactly. If AIBA wants pros in the Olympics, the IOC will listen to them as they are the governing international federation and remember, Wu has been an IOC member for years which is something Chowdhry never was.

The problem I see is if they let pros in, I don't think there is any going back but who knows, Wu could be voted out of AIBA in 2 years.

[Dennis]

He could be removed sooner if something dramatic happens. I'm thinking about all the allegations of fraud and corruption in the past.

[boxmel]

I'm thinking about all the allegations of fraud and corruption in the past.

Chowdhry took the blame for all of that. Wu will have to create his own problems - or fail to clear up the scoring problems.

[Dennis]

I hope they come up with a much better scoring system and make sure those operating it are consistent in how they score.

[Mighty Atom]

My belief is AIBA is planning on allowing boxers in their league to compete in amateur tournaments. It won't be up to them for the Olympics, but look at a lot of other sports. I think it could happen.

Actually it is up to the AIBA who they allow to compete at the Olympics. Since around 1992 the International Olympic Commitee allows each sport to decide who's eligible to go. If the AIBA wanted to change their rules you could, at least in theory, see Mayweather, Pacquio etc. in London 2012.

[boxmel]

If the AIBA wanted to change their rules you could, at least in theory, see Mayweather, Pacquio etc. in London 2012.

I believe, in their original proposal, the Olympics would only be open to those who had been pro for three years or less. And there is the age rule of 34. I can't see any pro boxer taking off time to compete again as an amateur and qualify for the 2012 team.

[Mighty Atom]

O.K. I admit this arguument falls down on the "three years as a pro" rule but let's take the example of Manny Pacquiao and the fact that The Philippines have never won an Olympic gold.
London 2012 and 33 year old Pac-Man aims for the Olympics. He has three or four fights at the Asian qualifying then goes to London and, for the sake of this argument, has another four fights and wins gold.
He becomes not just a national hero but the ultimate national hero to 100 million people.
He probably earns more from this status than he would taking a couple of big fights.

Of course this is a pretty unique scenario, can't imagine many top US/European fighters going this way but then 30 years ago you wouldn't have imagined NBA, NHL and professional soccer players at the Olympics either.

[boxmel]

30 years ago you wouldn't have imagined NBA, NHL and professional soccer players at the Olympics either.

Gotta remember that those are team sports - NOT individual sports, too.

[JMac]

30 years ago you wouldn't have imagined NBA, NHL and professional soccer players at the Olympics either.

Gotta remember that those are team sports - NOT individual sports, too.

For soccer, the pro players in the Olympics were U-23 and probably all of the players were pro's.

[Dennis]

30 years ago you wouldn't have imagined NBA, NHL and professional soccer players at the Olympics either.

Gotta remember that those are team sports - NOT individual sports, too.

There are individual Olympic sports with PROS. Look at tennis, you have Venus and Serena Williams playing for the USA.

[Puncher7]

just for argument's sake - Manny Pacquaio could very well lose in olympic style boxing today
his success as a professional would not necessarily mean he's an automatic candidate for the gold
just as lots of guys who have had success as an amateur do not necessarily do well as pro's.

[boxmel]

just for argument's sake -

Good argument. :)

[Mighty Atom]

I choose Pacquaio as an example because he's a guy in the P4P top ten who would be young enough, and maybe motivated enough, to compete in 2012 if all pros are allowed to compete at the Olympics.
I actually agree that his style wouldn't fit the Olympic format.
My point is that there'd be lots of pros who would compete at the Olympics if they had a chance.
It might be for the glory, might be because they'd be paid by their government or it might be a way of giving their careers a boost.
I'll give another example, if Amir Khan had been kayoed in late 2007 instead of 2008 he might have gone back to the amateurs and seen the Olympics as a safe way of regaining his marketability.
One other point - Ponlid of Thailand who won the flyweight division in Sydney never turned pro - he earned $1,000,000 in 2000 just out of winning the gold.
And they still call it amateur boxing...

[boxmel]

My point is that there'd be lots of pros who would compete at the Olympics if they had a chance.

If they could even qualify. Just because they are pro doesn't mean they are the best for the Olympics. And, as I said earlier, I believe there will be restrictions, such as you can't have been a pro for more than three years.

It might be for the glory, might be because they'd be paid by their government or it might be a way of giving their careers a boost.

I doubt going to or winning a medal would boost a career. There isn't any money for amateurs-winning-medals-turning-pro these days. Glory? Don't think so.

[Dennis]

Many pros wouldn't want to box only 3 rounds (the future of amateur boxing, which is a return to the past) or box with headgear and bigger gloves. That is the problem with the Contender series. Some of the boxers are used to boxing 10 rounds and then they have to cut it to 5 for the TV show.

[Canada]

There isn't any money for amateurs-winning-medals-turning-pro these days.

James Degale wouldnt be getting offering of $2.5 million dollars unless he won gold, and Wilder certainly wouldnt be getting multiple 6 figure signing bonuses without his bronze medal.

[Dennis]

$2.5 million dollars as a signing bonus? I highly doubt that figure. Degale is good, but I can't see any promoter handing over that kind of cash to anyone. That might be the contract amount if he wins and fights a certain number of times over a period of time say 4 or 5 years. The actual signing bonus is probably low 6 figures. $100,000 to $200,000 at most.

[boxmel]

$2.5 million dollars as a signing bonus? I highly doubt that figure.

Doesn't Frankie Warren put out big bucks for UK stars?

[Dennis]

$2.5 million dollars as a signing bonus? I highly doubt that figure.

Doesn't Frankie Warren put out big bucks for UK stars?

Big bucks can be six figures for a signing bonus. 7 figures is just amazing. More power to the boxer(s) if they can get 7 figure signing bonuses to turn pro. Sometimes promoters give big signing bonuses to guys who already have a pro track record such as already winning a world title.

[boxmel]

My point was........allegedly is known for having lots of money and if he is the one who is putting up the 2.5 mil for Degale, then it makes sense.

[Dennis]

No, still doesn't make sense. If nobody is paying that kind of money, then he wouldn't need to either. If other promoters are likely to offer a signing bonus of $200K at most, then he probably wouldn't go more than $300-400K to sign him.