WBC, British Board, ABC, FECOMBOX Unite Against AIBA's Decision

By World Boxing Council

The WBC has expressed its opinion with total opposition towards AIBA’s decision to allow professional boxers to fight amateur boxers during the Olympic games in Rio 2016 . The WBC has voiced the opinion of the majority in the boxing community from all over the world . There are too many unanswered questions, the competition format and standards are not clear and the risks towards the fighters safety are tremendous .
 
Boxing is one of the founding sports of the Ancient Olympic games in Greece and modern boxing has been know to be divided into Amateur boxing and Professional boxing. AIBA is acting with an evident conflict of interest by threatening this structure by being a promoter, manager, regulator and governing entity who wants to have amateur boxers fight professional boxers in a scenario where severe mismatches could result in tragedies.
 
To have an amateur boxer vs. a professional boxer is like having a marathon runner vs. a sprint 100-meter runner, both are runners but they compete in different sports and disciplines. 
 
Basketball, tennis, soccer and other sports have "Pros VS Amateurs” in Olympics , the difference is that in Boxing, there are no goals, baskets or points, “YOU DONT PLAY BOXING”. Boxing is a combat sport and if the level of opposition is not properly matched it can be very dangerous. Professional boxing is structured by levels of competition , 4 round fighters , 6 rd, 8rd, 10 rd and eventually championship fights for 12 rounds. One can only hope that AIBA will filter which professionals will participate in RIO.
 
The WBC has taken a stance and  decided that any WBC champion and top 15 rated in our rankings is forbidden to participate until clear guidelines and safety measures are in place. If they do they will be banned from the WBC for 2 years.

By MR. CARLOS GONZALEZ HINOJOSA, FECOMBOX PRESIDENT (Boxing Commission of Mexico)

To all the honorable affiliated boxing commissions:
Sending you a warm greeting, and I want to communicate to you  FECOMBOX's stand Concerning AIBA's authorization of including pro boxers at the Olympic Games.
 
1.- FECOMBOX totally disagrees in facing professional fighters against amateurs,  as the mismatch it is obvious,  the physical integrity risks are huge, lives will be on the line of young amateurs clashing  with experimented world champions and pro fighters.

2.- FECOMBOX suggests to NOT allow permission for any pro boxer to participate in the Olympic Games.

3.- FECOMBOX suggests to impose a suspension, at keast for a year, on any boxer who  participates in the Olympic Games.

4.- FECOMBOX is an institution that works for the security and physical integrity of boxers. It wont be under the lead of absurd decisions.

By British Boxing Board of Control

Following the announcement that AIBA are to permit professional boxers to compete in future Olympic Games, the British Boxing Board of Control confirm their objection to such a proposal.

It is the belief of the British Boxing Board of Control that such a move is against the spirit of the Olympics, disrespectful to the many GB Amateur boxers who, throughout the Olympic cycle compete around the world in qualifying tournaments and ultimately dangerous.

It is the hope of the British Boxing Board of Control and many within the professional Sport in Great Britain and throughout the world that AIBA reconsider such a move that is not beneficial to the Sport as a whole.
 
By Michael Mazzulli, President of The ABC

As President of the Association of Boxing Commissions, the Board of Directors and I are disappointed in AIBA’s decision to allow amateur boxers to compete with professionals in the Olympics. Even worse than just a majority vote, the vote of 84 to 0 in favor, is a statement in and of itself.

The ABC is committed to fighter safety, so hopefully, the AIBA/IOC Committee will consider the potential risk and future ramifications of allowing amateur boxers to compete with professional boxers. Surely, their decision should be determined by athlete safety. The ABC has spoken about out against this proposal previously, from the use/non-use of headgear, boxing style and experience, method of scoring awards, and a level playing ?eld, this proposal is fraught with danger. As we know in boxing, one bad match-up can mean the difference, literally, in life and death.

I hope both the IOC and AIBA will reconsider their stance.