Pros returning to the Amateurs

[rmz]

How is this Chinese boxer able to go from being a professional boxer to an amateur boxer? Isn't that against AIBA rules?

Boxing In China: Former Professional World Champion Eyes Olympic Gold

Beijing, China. (June 29, 2009) - By Zhenyu Li: China's boxing has made a significant move to add professional prizefighters to its rosters of the national women's boxing team, in the hope of winning one gold in women's boxing during the 2012 London Olympic Games, should the sport is approved for inclusion in the program of the Games.

Xiyan Zhang, the former WBA, WIBC and WIBA title holder, is one of the prizefighters that returned from the professional battle fields to the amateur square ring. She's now the team leader and the assistant coach of the Chinese national women's boxing team, and currently China's biggest hopeful for its female boxing Gold Rush in London..

"There's absolutely no stamina problem," she told ESB after her first amateur show in years at the newly-established training camp of the national female boxing team in Qian'an city of Hebei Province, China. "However, I haven't competed in amateur ring for many years. I need time to fully adjust to the amateur rules and atmosphere. Wearing headgear makes me feel kind of uneasy, and it blocked my sight."

In asking why she chose to give up professional prizefighting in pursuit of amateur achievement, the 29-year-old former world champion said: "to me, Olympic crown is more meaningful than any other professional world titles. My proudest dream moment is winning an Olympic gold, representing my country."

Source: ESB

[Dennis]

There have been some men who have been allowed to regain their amateur status after just a couple of pro bouts, but Zhang Xi Yan has 10 pro bouts. She has lost her last two though. AIBA maybe wants to do it to bring more women with experience into the Olympics.

[boxmel]

Hopefully, any rule changes will be made public before London. At this time, pros are NOT allowed to participate in Olympic boxing.

[rmz]

Hopefully, any rule changes will be made public before London. At this time, pros are NOT allowed to participate in Olympic boxing.

I personally hope that they don't allow pros back into the Olympics. It's not like these boxers didn't have a choice to give up their amateur status. They chose to do so by their own volition. That being said, I can't really see too many pros becoming amateurs again. How can they dedicate two years of their career to training for the Olympics, there is no money there. Plus the styles of the two sports is so different, I think readjusting to the amateur style would be difficult for many pros.

[boxmel]

I'm sure this is posted elsewhere and, therefore a duplicate. However - this is probably where the rumor started.

In September 2010 the World Series of Boxing (WSB) will signal a new beginning in the global boxing world - a fresh new concept from AIBA with a city based franchised league of professional boxing, established on a global basis.

• Three continental conferences
• Four franchises in each conference
• 12 franchisees
• Each match between teams will consist of five bouts (one per weight class), of five rounds, of three minutes each
• 75 matches in each season

The WSB will consist of five weight categories:

• Bantamweight
• Lightweight
• Middleweight
• Light Heavyweight
• Heavyweight

The WSB will be annually held and allow aspiring boxers to compete professionally without having to sacrifice their dreams of competing on behalf of their countries at the Olympic Games. AIBA will provide a bridge between Olympic boxing and Professional boxing, with the WSB being the only professional series in which boxers will retain their Olympic eligibility.
The boxers will compete within teams across three global regions: Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Each bout will be made up of five rounds of three minutes per bout, with not vests or headgear. In addition, boxers will be provided with reliable income and a guaranteed schedule of bouts. This will allow the boxers to grow in technique and style.

The WSB will crown both individual boxers and city-based teams as World Champions. The Individual championships will consist of the top two boxers in each weight category competing for the title of World Series of Boxing Champion.

The boxers will compete within teams across three global regions: Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Each bout will be made up of five rounds of three minutes per bout, with not vests or headgear. In addition, boxers will be provided with reliable income and a guaranteed schedule of bouts. This will allow the boxers to grow in technique and style.