Why I Support The Notion of Professional Boxers Fighting at the Olympics

1. The best fight the best. If they want the gold medal, they have no choice.

2. There are AIBA pro boxers and WSB semi-pro boxers fighting in amateurs anyway.

3. For those who say 'a young developing amateur vs a professional veteran is unfair'...what about the veterans in amateur boxing?

No one cared for the fact that Serik Sapiyev and say, Egor Mekhontsev were 28 years old when they won the Olympic Gold medal in 2012 (Serik winning the Val Barker trophy, too). They have great experience in point-scoring in a way to win amateur fights.

3. Point-scoring system and RULING still has its differences to the pros.

a. In the pros, judging is slightly more relaxed - use of elbows, head, occasional low blows can go unpunished. The likes of an Orlando Salido would have to adapt his game to a cleaner style for example.

b. There is a standing 8 count and more padded gloves in the amateurs, so you don't have to worry so much about your 'developing amateurs'.

4. Amateur boxing will gain more notoriety - it will be better financed and more benefits facilitated for the top amateurs, as well as an exposure is given to the amateurs.
There will be less time needed to 'build a star' if they do decide to cross over to the pros, as they may have gained a greater fanbase, as well as familiarised themselves to a higher level with professional fighters.


My reservations are as follows:
Amateurs have been relatively untouched from the political corruption of the professionals. Just imagine if it crossed over further into the amateurs? There's already enough corruption in the amateurs as it is with robberies and bribes.