AIBA Update: Pacquiao Open To Competing At Olympic Games
AIBA Update: Pacquiao Open To Competing At Olympic Games
In the wake of the AIBA's motion to allow professionals to compete at the Olympics, the CSAC have cautioned against the move and Manny Pacquiao has declared that he may compete given the opportunity.
By Roy Billington
Over the last few months, the world of boxing has been subjected to rumours regarding a change in qualification rules for the Olympic Games and last week, International Boxing Association head, Wu Ching-Kuo, announced that he hopes to allow professional boxers the opportunity to compete in Rio.
The AIBA’s plans have received a lot of pushback, a number of boxers have labelled the move dangerous and now Andy Foster, the executive officer of the California State Athletic Commission has came out and condemned the idea.
Foster, a former amateur athlete who has been lauded for his work regarding MMA commissioning in recent months, spoke of his horror at the decision in a recent press release:
“As a former competitor and current regulator of professional and amateur combat sports in California, I am disturbed by this decision and am concerned for the safety of these albeit talented, amateur athletes; because there is potential for them to be pitted against seasoned professionals,” said Foster.
While the CSAC have yet to have an official vote on the matter, it is almost certain that the commission will motion to oppose the AIBA’s plans. During his tenure thus far, Andy Foster has proven a formidable foe to stupidity and a champion of common sense, which should lead to the CSAC campaigning for the qualification rules to remain unchanged.
Interestingly enough, one notable figure in the world of boxing seems very open to the idea of professionals competing at the Olympics. Manny Pacquiao, the first and only ever 8-division world champion has declared his interest in competing at the Olympic games for his beloved home country of the Philippines. While Pacquiao is currently scheduled to meet Tim Bradley in a rubber-match in April, it is believed that the Filipino legend will retire from professional fighting after that, unless he can coax Floyd Mayweather into a rematch.
Pacquiao told the AFP of his interest in competing at the 2016 Olympic Games:
“If I would be asked to represent boxing, why not? I would do everything for my country.”
This admission of interest from Pacquiao comes amid speculation that AIBA president, Wu Ching-Kuo has already offered Pacquiao a wildcard spot at the most prestigious boxing tournament in the world. It remains to be seen however, if the Pacman will take up the offer as by the time the Olympics come around, the Filipino masses will have visited the ballot box and Manny Pacquiao could have been elected a senator.
As the road to the Olympic Games hottens up, make sure to keep visiting FloBoxing.tv to keep up with the latest news in the world of boxing.
Over the last few months, the world of boxing has been subjected to rumours regarding a change in qualification rules for the Olympic Games and last week, International Boxing Association head, Wu Ching-Kuo, announced that he hopes to allow professional boxers the opportunity to compete in Rio.
The AIBA’s plans have received a lot of pushback, a number of boxers have labelled the move dangerous and now Andy Foster, the executive officer of the California State Athletic Commission has came out and condemned the idea.
Foster, a former amateur athlete who has been lauded for his work regarding MMA commissioning in recent months, spoke of his horror at the decision in a recent press release:
“As a former competitor and current regulator of professional and amateur combat sports in California, I am disturbed by this decision and am concerned for the safety of these albeit talented, amateur athletes; because there is potential for them to be pitted against seasoned professionals,” said Foster.
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While Foster did acknowledge that professional athletes do compete at the Olympics, he went on to emphasize that boxing was a sport with unique issues due to the fact that, unlike most other Olympic sports, boxing is full-contact and therefore there is an immediate risk to competitors health. “What AIBA is doing is wrong and I hope they reconsider this policy change,” Foster said.While the CSAC have yet to have an official vote on the matter, it is almost certain that the commission will motion to oppose the AIBA’s plans. During his tenure thus far, Andy Foster has proven a formidable foe to stupidity and a champion of common sense, which should lead to the CSAC campaigning for the qualification rules to remain unchanged.
Interestingly enough, one notable figure in the world of boxing seems very open to the idea of professionals competing at the Olympics. Manny Pacquiao, the first and only ever 8-division world champion has declared his interest in competing at the Olympic games for his beloved home country of the Philippines. While Pacquiao is currently scheduled to meet Tim Bradley in a rubber-match in April, it is believed that the Filipino legend will retire from professional fighting after that, unless he can coax Floyd Mayweather into a rematch.
READ MORE: Male Boxers To Compete Without Headgear At Rio Olympics
Pacquiao told the AFP of his interest in competing at the 2016 Olympic Games:
“If I would be asked to represent boxing, why not? I would do everything for my country.”
This admission of interest from Pacquiao comes amid speculation that AIBA president, Wu Ching-Kuo has already offered Pacquiao a wildcard spot at the most prestigious boxing tournament in the world. It remains to be seen however, if the Pacman will take up the offer as by the time the Olympics come around, the Filipino masses will have visited the ballot box and Manny Pacquiao could have been elected a senator.
As the road to the Olympic Games hottens up, make sure to keep visiting FloBoxing.tv to keep up with the latest news in the world of boxing.