By Edward Chaykovsky

When the AIBA, which is the amateur governing body, announced that professional boxers would be allowed to compete in the Rio Olympics, there was a lot of criticism from all corners.

Many fans, promoters and even boxers - felt the inclusion of professional would create a very uneven playing field for young up and coming amateurs.

The AIBA approached numerous professionals to compete in the games - including the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Amir Khan and Floyd Mayweather Jr. 

Most of the established fighters turned their backs on the offers. Khan and Pacquiao were seriously considering the idea of entering the Olympics games, but ultimately said no.

Several pro fighters did enter, including former world champions Hassan N'dam and Amnat Ruenroeng. All of the pros were knocked off by amateurs, because they were unable to adjust with the extremely fast pace of three round competition.

Rob McCracken, head coach of the British Olympic team and trainer of retired world champion Carl Froch, believes every professional would struggle with world class amateurs in a fast paced three round fight - including Mayweather himself. Mayweather has actually been present at the games, scouting for new additions to his growing promotional banner.

"It’s not easy to win medals here, as the first pros found out. Floyd Mayweather is an unbelievable boxer but even for him the Games would have been tough. It’s a problem for twelve round professionals, even the champions, coming down to fight the best three-round specialists in the world. It’s a different game," McCracken told Daily Mail.

"It will be interesting if some of the big names decide to go to Tokyo 2020. It will create a lot of public interest. But they would find it difficult. For Tokyo, if we have any weights at which we do not have a boxer who is good enough, we could bring in a pro. But if we have someone who has worked hard with us and is a talent then the first option will always be to take the one from our programme."