By Edward Chaykovsky
As previously reported, the AIBA - which controls the amateur boxing system and continues to make moves into the pro ranks - is planning to allow professionals to compete in the Olympic games - starting next year.
Several fighters like heavyweight king and Olympic gold medal winner Wladimir Klitschko have embraced the idea, while others like former four division champion and Olympic silver medal winner Roy Jones Jr. believe the AIBA's decision would create a landscape where young amateurs are getting battered by seasoned pros and possibly world champions.
British star Amir Khan, who captured an Olympic silver medal when he was 17-years-old in the 2004 Athens Games, is very much in favor of allowing professionals to compete in the Olympics.
"AIBA President (Ching-Kuo) Wu is a good friend of mine and I was recently there in Doha for the amateur men's World Championships on his invitation. I think they are changing the rules soon, that's what I gathered from Wu while speaking to him, that things will be changing soon," Amir said in an interview with The Statesman.
"The AIBA wants professional boxers to work with AIBA and they will allow them to go to Olympics. So imagine, I may have a second chance at the Olympics. That will be amazing and massive because everybody wants to go to Olympics."
"I have heard that they are changing the rules and this would a great thing because pro boxers want to compete in the Olympics. I think it's very good that they are (thinking of) bringing amateur and professional boxers together because end of the day it's boxing and people want to watch good fights."
