Fight community reacts to seismic rule change allowing professional boxers in Rio Olympics
The boxing community is almost universally in agreement that allowing pro pugilists to compete in Rio will ruin Olympic boxing.
AIBI made the huge announcement on Wednesday morning that pros will be allowed to compete at the 2016 Olympic games, just two months before the events kick off in Rio.
The new rule change means that Irish amateurs such as Katie Taylor and Paddy Barnes, who have already qualified for the games, could potentially face professional opponents in the finals.
The boxing community has not exactly welcomed the change with open arms, with the consensus being that this landmark decision is ridiculous and could potentially destroy amateur boxing.
Former unified IBF and WBA super-bantamweight champion Carl Frampton led the charge against the ruling on Twitter.
Pros boxers being allowed to fight in Olympics is ridiculous! They're two different sports. It's like a badminton player playing tennis
— Carl Frampton MBE (@RealCFrampton) June 1, 2016
Also when and how do they Qualify for Rio? It starts in about 10 weeks. AIBA have got worse since I was an amateur and thats hard to believe
— Carl Frampton MBE (@RealCFrampton) June 1, 2016
What about the amateurs who've been dreaming of the Olympics for years, have yet to Qualify & some pro takes their spot at the last minute?
— Carl Frampton MBE (@RealCFrampton) June 1, 2016
Olympic silver medallist chimed in with his thoughts
The qualification process for Pro boxers insults the amateur one,
It's absolutely scandalous #Rio2016— Kenneth Egan OLY (@kenegan30) June 1, 2016
Let's see who the most well know pro takes the chance of an ass whoopin in #Rio2016 is.... 3x3 min Rds #differentsport
— Kenneth Egan OLY (@kenegan30) June 1, 2016
A slew of other pro boxers ran with the theme
Don't know why people are surprised pros are now allowed in olympic boxing. Amateur boxing has been fucked for years. #differentsports 😩
— Paul Smith (@PaulSmithJnr) June 1, 2016
It is going to be hard for AIBA but finally They are going to get it, They are going to destroy #Boxing https://t.co/gypwBdPr6i
— Sergio Martínez (@maravillabox) June 1, 2016
'The Hitman' is predicting doom for the amateur game
Pro boxers in the olympics. What are AIBA thinking. Goodbye amateur boxing now as far as I'm concerned. Can't say I'm a fan of this.
— Ricky Hatton MBE (@HitmanHatton) June 1, 2016
Olympic boxing has been ruined now. Always been an amateur sport and should've stayed that way. #ripolympicboxing https://t.co/1Dfqfa9DNO
— Darren Barker (@DarrenBarker82) June 1, 2016
However, one man who definitely does not seem opposed to the change is WBO middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders. The man who dethroned Andy Lee revealed his desire to enter and win Olympic gold.
Love to win the Olympic games put the icing on the cake #Boxing
— billyjoesaunders (@bjsaunders_) June 1, 2016
