what would it take to change olympic boxing?

[Barry Halls]

Does that mean no headgear? If not I don't see too many pros doing it

I think i read that it would be no headgear. Can't guarantee 100% though, so someone else needs to verify it.

[Explosions]

Bare Knuckles mode.

[Sadistic]

Xenophobic Americans are just upset that the amateurs are dominated by Eastern European fighters. FACT.

That's the truth.

LOL at these xenophobic bitter butthurt American crybabies.

Eastern European fighters are superior.

[ИATAS]

That's the truth.

LOL at these xenophobic bitter butthurt American crybabies.

Eastern European fighters are superior.

lol you guys are idiots. I love all fighters. If it's some Eastern European who's dominating, still can't see his face and he's still fighting in the broken ass scoring system that no one gives a flying fuck about. Did you watch the Olympic boxing games in China? Like 18 people total in the stands at best.

[CubanGuyNYC]

The AIBA announced recently that they are getting into professional boxing and want the pros to compete in the 2016 Olympics.

Let's forget about what's right or wrong for a minute. Professionals competing in Olympic basketball is one thing, but professional boxers competing in the games is another. The top NBA players are all multi-millionaires. A very large percentage are Americans. They don't need more money, but make more anyway through their involvement with an Olympic squad. Aside from that, they get to have fun playing with fellow stars they might not otherwise ever play with on the same team. It's an all-star game where the U.S.A. has virtually all the all-stars.

Boxing, on the other hand, is a solo sport. What does a top professional boxer have to gain by winning a gold medal? Just the damn medal. There would be little endorsement money to speak of, if any. What's the point then? Pride? Please.... There's greater pride in winning a world championship belt against the best in the world.

A high-level professional has only so many fights in him. He rightfully seeks to maximize his earning potential. If he competes in the Olympics, he'll have to forego at least one lucrative fight in exchange for a medal that isn't even solid gold (or silver or bronze, for that matter). That only leaves the lesser pros to consider, which add no interest whatsoever.

The Olympics need to be left to the amateurs, that goes for boxing and basketball....

[Takeover]

Let's forget about what's right or wrong for a minute. Professionals competing in Olympic basketball is one thing, but professional boxers competing in the games is another. The top NBA players are all multi-millionaires. A very large percentage are Americans. They don't need more money, but make more anyway through their involvement with an Olympic squad. Aside from that, they get to have fun playing with fellow stars they might not otherwise ever play with on the same team. It's an all-star game where the U.S.A. has virtually all the all-stars.

Boxing, on the other hand, is a solo sport. What does a top professional boxer have to gain by winning a gold medal? Just the damn medal. There would be little endorsement money to speak of, if any. What's the point then? Pride? Please.... There's greater pride in winning a world championship belt against the best in the world.

A high-level professional has only so many fights in him. He rightfully seeks to maximize his earning potential. If he competes in the Olympics, he'll have to forego at least one lucrative fight in exchange for a medal that isn't even solid gold (or silver or bronze, for that matter). That only leaves the lesser pros to consider, which add no interest whatsoever.

The Olympics need to be left to the amateurs, that goes for boxing and basketball....

I don't agree with this. Keep in mind that boxers don't make much money as it is. Can you imagine a USA heavyweight boxer fighting for the gold against one of the kilts? would draw huge huge ratings. And who know how many endorsement for that fighter. Actually after thinking I bet there would be alot of younger pro fighters participating in the Olympics. Folks like Gary Russell, Fury and Wilder would gain alot of hype if they won their fights and the medal.

[gatorDelux]

they just need a good exciting american teem forus americans to get pumped about it.

[CubanGuyNYC]

I don't agree with this. Keep in mind that boxers don't make much money as it is. Can you imagine a USA heavyweight boxer fighting for the gold against one of the kilts? would draw huge huge ratings. And who know how many endorsement for that fighter. Actually after thinking I bet there would be alot of younger pro fighters participating in the Olympics. Folks like Gary Russell, Fury and Wilder would gain alot of hype if they won their fights and the medal.

I specified "top pros" in my post. You say boxers "don't make much money." You're obviously referring to the lower level guys, the journeymen and club fighters. But then you mention a "U.S.A. heavyweight boxer fighting for the gold against one of the Klits." Do you really see either Klitschko brother entering the Olympics? I don't think it's worth their time. I could see some of the younger, less established pros getting into it; but they wouldn't generate enough interest, in my opinion. In other words: it doesn't sound like a winning idea. As I said before, the Olympics should be the exclusive domain of the amateur athlete.

[RA-Box]

I don't mind the headgear. These fighter's aren't getting paid. The risks should be as minimal as possible. AM Fighters still get hurt, busted, KD, KOed for what?? Nothing.

It's the scoring system that's broken. Fix that, and it will produce higher quality pros, more exciting am fights.

[ИATAS]

I don't mind the headgear. These fighter's aren't getting paid. The risks should be as minimal as possible. AM Fighters still get hurt, busted, KD, KOed for what?? Nothing.

Dude, in the amateurs they are quick to stop the fight. Guys typically don't take a ton of punishment even without the headgear.