Despite the fact that the competition is just 65 days away, the International Boxing Association (AIBA) blew open their qualification rules by allowing professional boxers compete at the Rio Olympics. The decision was made to remove Article 13 (J) from the AIBA Statutes at an Extraordinary Congress in Lausanne this morning, with 84 of the 88 delegates present voting in favour of abolishing the rule. It is unclear as to how the Irish Amateur Boxing Association voted, they did not respond to our requests for comment.
With no wildcard options available, all fighters must compete for qualification, with the next qualification event at Baku on June 26. No fighter currently qualified for the Olympics is in any danger of losing their place.
In Britain, we are thankfully saved the abhorrent scenario in which Tyson Fury attempts to beguile the Olympiad with his presence: Great Britain have already fulfilled their quota of fighters for the games. From an Irish point of view, the move means that, in theory, Andy Lee can compete at the Games should he be nominated by the Irish Amateur Boxing Association and compete for qualification at Baku.
Lee today confirmed to Balls.ie, however, that he would not be going to Rio, saying that "it's not something I'm interested in. I've had my Olympics, and I wouldn't fancy going back again. I'd love to go to the Olympics again, maybe as a coach, but not as a fighter".
The reasoning behind the decision was not explained in detail by the AIBA. The idea was mooted by the governing body back in February, when president Dr Ching-Kuo Wu was quoted as saying "we want the best boxers to come to the Olympic Games. It is the AIBA's 70th birthday, and we want something to change - not after four years, but now".
Lee believes that the decision helps the reputation of the AIBA, but also suspects that there could be a financial motivation behind it also; that the AIBA may see this as an opportunity to assert more control over the amateur fighters who turn professional after their games:
There are more reasons for it not to happen than for it to happen. The only reason for it to happen is that it will glamorise boxing at the Olympics.
For the AIBA, it also makes it more glamorous to them.
I think they have seen that they have seen over the last few years that they bring these fighters along to box in their tournaments and competitions for many years – the likes of Guillermo Rigondeaux – and then they turn pro and lose touch with them while these fighters go on to make a lot of money.
The thinking may be that 'If we bring them in, and let them box under our banner, they may continue to fight under us'. I think that’s where they are headed.
The Limerick boxer cites the example of the World Series of Boxing [WSB], a semi-professional boxing competition organised by the AIBA, which allows the professional boxers involved to fight for Olympic qualification:
There has been talk before that they [the AIBA] would attempt to sign the amateurs who fought at the WSB to long-term contracts, so that when they do turn pro they will still be part of the WSB, and perhaps the AIBA could become involved as their managers and sports agents or whatever.
The decision has been heavily criticised among the boxing world. The WBC calling it "shameful", and Carl Frampton tweeted his displeasure at the ruling:
Pros boxers being allowed to fight in Olympics is ridiculous! They're two different sports. It's like a badminton player playing tennis
— Carl Frampton MBE (@RealCFrampton) June 1, 2016
Also when and how do they Qualify for Rio? It starts in about 10 weeks. AIBA have got worse since I was an amateur and thats hard to believe
— Carl Frampton MBE (@RealCFrampton) June 1, 2016
What about the amateurs who've been dreaming of the Olympics for years, have yet to Qualify & some pro takes their spot at the last minute?
— Carl Frampton MBE (@RealCFrampton) June 1, 2016
Lee shares an opinion with Frampton, although believes that the amateurs would hold an advantage over professionals:
It’s not something that interests me. It’s a totally different code. I saw someone comparing it to a badminton player playing tennis. In terms of weight, as a professional, I weigh in at 11 stone six. I then have 24 hours to hydrate and get back to over 12 stone by the time of the fight. At amateur level, they would have to maintain that weight every day for up to weeks.
Plus, amateurs are conditioned for three round fights. At professional level, you are only really getting warmed up by the third round.
Michael Conlan is in full agreement with Lee's assertion that amateurs hold an advantage, telling the BBC that "It wouldn't bother me, I'll beat all of them".
Ricky Hatton also criticised the decision via twitter, although slightly belatedly, as a peruse of his timeline shows that he had more immediate frontiers to conquer beforehand:
Having a Benidorm breaky.I've never walked away from a challenge & this is one.But there is only one Ricky Fatton.👌🏻 pic.twitter.com/ezb2jvz39N
— Ricky Hatton MBE (@HitmanHatton) June 1, 2016
Pro boxers in the olympics. What are AIBA thinking. Goodbye amateur boxing now as far as I'm concerned. Can't say I'm a fan of this.
— Ricky Hatton MBE (@HitmanHatton) June 1, 2016
See Also: Another IABA Fiasco: Moylette-Walsh Box-Off Unexpectedly Cancelled
See Also: A 16-Year-Old Irish Boxing Prospect Will Make His Professional Debut In Mexico This Summer
