Can Pro Boxers Fight in the Olympics?

Published 07/24/2021, 7:30 AM EDT

Olympics- The epitome of sports has seen several elite boxers emerge from its shelter to become professional experts ahead. However, the trend hasn’t been that easy. From the very beginning, there have been sheer debates regarding the kind of boxers that should compete at the event.

While the Olympics is known for hosting amateur boxers, professionals have also made their way to the event. It might have turned the task difficult for amateurs. But this sheer change has clearly derived different opinions. According to reports, professional boxers were first allowed to step up at the Olympics 2016 in Rio. Not everyone preferred to see them go for the gold. However, the Tokyo Olympics have seen the same happen.

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So, it’s clear that professional boxers can compete in the Olympics. It seemingly raises the bar of competition and even amateur boxers receive a test of pro boxing. This might nourish the sport for the right reasons. However, several boxing experts have demeaned the idea, citing some real dangers for the sport’s future. According to ABC News, veteran trainer Freddie Roach was one of the many people to express discomfort towards the idea.

He said, “I think it messes things up. I really think they should keep them separate.”

Roach added, “I don’t think it’s good for the amateurs, and I think it’s really bad for the pros.”

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The Olympic boxers have already touched down in Tokyo to compete for gold in boxing events. That said, professional boxing has several more doorways to flourish. Hence, entering the Olympics might not be a very suitable option.

Olympics and Boxing- The epic saga

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Pro boxers enjoy a massive stage to compete for the world titles. Several sanctioning bodies like WBC, WBO, IBF, IBO have their professional platforms that only allow the pros to compete throughout the calendar. Apart from success and fame, it also brings enormous attention and finances to the pro pugilists. It is one area where the amateurs don’t have their hold.

Hence, putting professional boxers in the Olympics reduces the score for amateurs. While the platform often works as a ticket to the pro boxing world, the sudden change might disrupt the whole flow. It clearly demands the amateurs to improve, but it also snatches a lot from them on arguably the grandest stage of sports.

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Written by:

A senior boxing writer at EssentiallySports, Raj Sarkar is a mass media graduate who is currently pursuing his master’s degree in broadcast journalism. In addition to his current role, he has worked with the MMA team at EssentiallySports and has interviewed prominent fighters such as Ritu Phogat and 'The Red King' Rory MacDonald. He combined his bachelor's degree with his adoration for combat sports and has a combined 2000 plus bylines in MMA and boxing over the last two years.

Can Pro Boxers Fight in the Olympics?

Olympics and Boxing- The epic saga

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