Professional boxers in Olympics is a bad idea, say fighters

[Andre]

Cuba has always been different because their best fighters often practically had to stay in the am's, it was their only good life and career choice.

Often? Try ALWAYS, and USSR very same and China very same (with subtle changes recently).

As for no one is getting hurt...basketball is a non-contact sport, try something a bit more physical...are amateurs allowed in/competitive in Olympic Hockey? Are people being hurt there? Are amateur boxers guaranteed to be safe without adding professionals in?



I think the main issue everyone is missing is that there would be more eyes on Olympic boxing if professionals were involved and when you're attempting to grow a sport this could help the product.....it would definitely help out the United States' boxing program, imagine it, amateurs getting to learn from professionals, professional trainers, professional sponsors....I fail to see the downside other than the "we don't want a 16 year old fighting his first fight against a 32 year old current title holder" which I'm sorry is a bogus claim, amateur boxing wouldn't allow that fight to take place.

So why not have pro fights with pro refs in one division of Olympics and also continue with amateur fights as is.Then if an amateur wants to move up into that world he can try out for it and change up along with his career.

Pros are going to go all out like it is the last round in long fight, all except they are fresh and going for a finish.

It sure will be interesting for all of us to watch this, but it is going to be more dangerous for some and not the other, experience of deep wars against none is going to be a real factor.