PROFESSIONAL BOXERS IN THE OLYMPICS - A GOOD IDEA OR A BAD MOVE?

Ever since Rio 2016 when professional boxers were allowed to compete in the Olympics for the first time, question marks have constantly surrounded the decision.

Is it fair? Do pros have an advantage? Are established boxers taking away an opportunity for another fighter to elevate their career?

Professional boxers haven’t fared particularly well in amateur boxing since they were allowed to compete in the Olympics. From Rio in 2016, and Tokyo in 2020, only two male fighters who had already made their professional debuts won gold.

However, this was all about to change in Paris.

From the seven weight classes, FIVE of the men that won gold had previously boxed professionally.

A damming statistic which shows how, despite amateur and professional boxing being completely different sports, the professional ranks are slowly taking over.

The women, however, have fared differently. The most notable case is that of Kellie Harrington and Beatriz Ferreira. After Harrington got the better of the Brazilian in the Tokyo 2020 lightweight gold medal final, Ferreira went on to turn pro and picked up her first world title in just her fifth fight.

She decided to enter Paris 2024 at the same weight as she sought revenge over Harrington. However, like Tokyo, it wasn’t to be with the reigning champion claiming a 4:1 split-decision victory and eventually going on to win gold once again.

As a matter of fact, no professional female boxer has EVER won an Olympic gold.

So, what does this mean for boxing as a whole?

Well, at the moment, it’s looking increasingly likely that boxing won’t even be included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics due to a spate of controversies over the past few Games.

If it is, though, the IOC or whichever organisation ends up taking charge will have to make an enormous decision that could have a lasting effect on both amateur and professional boxers.

For the sake of the wider sport, it probably makes sense for the Olympics to solely include amateur boxers as this is their time to shine and build their careers.

IF the standard of amateur boxing is on the decline, however, which you could certainly make an argument for, then allowing professionals to compete is a no-brainer.