Saw more stuff from him about wanting to compete in 2016, that he would tailor his professional schedule around it. Is he serious? If he wants to 1. Unify and 2. Have any chance at breaking Joe Louis's consecutive defense mark, he's got to fight pro fights at a faster rate, not slower. Plus, it doesn't really do anything for his legacy. He's already won the gold as an amateur. What if somehow he loses under the different rules, different circumstances, different scene? It could tarnish his legacy somewhat, I'm really not sure why he'd have any interest whatsoever. Too bad Chef doesn't seem to be around, would be good to hear his take on it if he could comment.
No I don't think he should. I wouldn't be totally against pros taking part if for instance they never fought for a pro world title and had less than 20 pro fights. Otherwise it's ruining the spirit and history of the competition.
Good comment, unusually lucid. I'd agree in theory, its a different sport, it would still be used against him by many for losing, which as you well stated, could very well happen. And, as you said, it could result in injury, or as he suggested, it may interrupt his professional schedule.
He could easily fit the Olympics in without interfering with his normal routine. He only fights twice per year and never in the summer so taking a few weeks in August for the games is no big deal. But he doesn't really gain much from it. If he wins, it's what everyone expects from the champion, if he loses he'll get criticised for losing to an amateur. While amateur boxing is a bit different, know that it's scored the same and with no head gear it's closer to the pro game than it has been for a long time, which might benefit Wlad.
So maybe Joshua can try for a legit gold medal now if he fights nobody after Whyte :yep And Raushee can try for 0-4 Although that doesn't sound right because Raushee "O and 3" Wárren sounds so much better
I just read an an article yesterday that said he was considering it but promotional issues with the Olympics remained. Can find it now, though, think it was legit. Where did you get your information?
Joke, he shouldnt be allowed he could kill someone. Leave the pros to the pros and the ams to the ams, aiba is run by gangsters like FIFA so wouldnt be surprised if it does happen.
wlad is not boxing at the Olympics nor is any other traditional professional boxer. AIBA now have there own version of professional boxing APB boxing and when they said professionals will be competing in the Olympics they meant APB boxers. Idiot journalists who know nothing about boxing then started asking the likes of pacman and wlad will they want to compete in the Olympics and people started getting this ridiculous idea that they were going to be in the next Olympics ! can we please stop discussing this nonsense his not going to be the olympics
Agreed. A seasoned pro has no business in the olympics fighting kids. Not to mention Wlad isn't just any pro with him being the top heavyweight with over 60 pro fights. On top of that Wlad is already a gold medalist.
Imagine he got knocked out in Rio without headgear (super heavy is very strong in the amateurs these days) while still the reigning pro champ? It would be equal parts hilarious and disastrous for the division's credibility.
