Question: pro v amateur

Nothingcompares

Seems like a stupid obvious question but never heard it well answered.

Why are pro boxers not allowed to enter the Olympics? Because they're no longer amateurs? Why can't a pro-boxer just reaffiliate to his amateur association a year before Olympic year and try to qualify. All these questions of Egan and Sutherland turning pro or not, but why can't they do a few pro fights and then get back into the amateurs later on.

Surely it's not because the sports are so different it's impossible to train for both...

cowzerp

once you turn pro your never allowed to turn back, this is to keep it on a level playing field! imagine training for 10 years for to make the olympics and then mayweather decides to go back to amateur and takes your place, what would be the point in anyone staying amateur then.

plus the pro boxer would have had pro training and be at an advantage over there genuine amateur boxer..

T-K-O

As far as I am aware there was a parting of the ways between both associations.. way back when Jesus was still in short trousers.

IMO they should NEVER allow pro boxers fight at the games. It would diminish the gold medal, certain pro's would not be interested ala Andy Roddick in the tennis.
Also guys like Mayweather would not fight for free, At present you have certain fighters refusing to fight their top contenders for $$$ you can bet your bottom dollar it wouldn't happen for free.

Nothingcompares

But isn't the olympic games supposed to be a celebration of the best athletes in each field? A chance for the best to compete?

Soccer, boxing and to a lesser extent tennis don't have the top guys competing because there are certain restrictions based on professional status etc. or some other constraints. But why bother?

The top athletics guys are amateur but by what definition? They're on state salaries, sure some of the Kenyans are mercenaries and will run for what ever nation sponsors them.

Why shouldn't Mayweather come back and win a gold medal?

cowzerp

Nothingcompares wrote: »

But isn't the olympic games supposed to be a celebration of the best athletes in each field? A chance for the best to compete?


Why shouldn't Mayweather come back and win a gold medal?

How would you decide who could compete in the olympics?

do you expect fighters who could get 20 million for 1 fight to do 4-5 fights in 2 weeks? and probably for free.

Amateur boxing pits the best against each other, pro boxing does only do this on a rare occasion!

Also how much brain damage do you think would occur in pro boxing matches done over a few fights in a short space of time?

Amateur olympic boxing is the pinnacle of boxing imo and most of the top pro's who won both olympic gold and the world title value the olympic higher..

Mikel

The top guys like Mayweather wouldn't enter anyway, far too much to lose.
Imagine if a world champ entered and didn't win.
I wonder is it possible to turn pro and then change your mind?

Nothingcompares

I think you'd have to maintain the amateur rule set and safety equipment (10oz, head gear, 3/4 2 min rounds) but should allow anyone to attempt to qualify. if people like FMW doesn't want to compete for nothing no problem.

eagle eye

I think the op need to go and understand the rules of Amateur boxing and then go and find out about pro boxing and promoters et al.

This thread is soooo silly.

There is one thing though. I think a guy should be allowed to return to amateur boxing if he so wishes. There would have to be rules regarding it, like you have not boxed professionally for 12 months or something in order to attain amateur status again. And of course no special favours for a returning boxer.

slipss

I do kind of think they have it right about not allowing pros to enter the Olympics, for the same reasons given above. But I have always wondered about it aswell, I mean check out Brazil's soccer team in the Olympics this year, Anderson, Ronaldinho, and co, all highly payed professionally trained footballers, all represented their nation in this years games. USA mens basketball team, Byrant, James, Williams all lined out for free all are on a fortune with their pro teams. Is boxing the only olympic sport where pros don't compete. Would you not think it could be good for the sport to have the top pro fighters in the world face off in a knockout tournament? No more holding onto the option of ducking and dodging each other insessently.

Nothingcompares

eagle eye wrote: »

I think the op need to go and understand the rules of Amateur boxing and then go and find out about pro boxing and promoters et al.

This thread is soooo silly.

There is one thing though. I think a guy should be allowed to return to amateur boxing if he so wishes. There would have to be rules regarding it, like you have not boxed professionally for 12 months or something in order to attain amateur status again. And of course no special favours for a returning boxer.

What are you talking about? I think Bernard Dunne would jump at the chance to go and fight amateur again in the Olympics. All pro boxers had amateur careers.

efb

would he even qualify anyway...:rolleyes:

Mikel

Nothingcompares wrote: »

What are you talking about? I think Bernard Dunne would jump at the chance to go and fight amateur again in the Olympics. All pro boxers had amateur careers.

Personally I doubt that. Far too much to lose.

Big Ears

Nothingcompares wrote: »

What are you talking about? I think Bernard Dunne would jump at the chance to go and fight amateur again in the Olympics. All pro boxers had amateur careers.

I'm not sure that he would, although never making the Olympics is a big source of frustration for Bernard.

The last bit isn't true either, quite a lot of fighters enter boxing with just a kickboxing or Muai Thai background. Not so much over here but in Asia, and then you've guys who just take up the sport and go pro without having fought amateur. That is pretty uncommon though, Barrington Brown is an example of a fighter that did that.

cowzerp

eagle eye wrote: »

This thread is soooo silly. .

Agreed.

eagle eye wrote: »

There is one thing though. I think a guy should be allowed to return to amateur boxing if he so wishes. There would have to be rules regarding it, like you have not boxed professionally for 12 months or something in order to attain amateur status again. And of course no special favours for a returning boxer.

Also agreed, 12 months inactivity and possibly 24 months and i'd allow pro's to revert back to amateur status, i'd also make exceptions to pro's that where on a losing streak, 3-4 losses in a row. they cant handle the pro game and should be allowed return amateur..

Mick T

most of the top pro's who won both olympic gold and the world title value the olympic higher..[/QUOTE]

just out of curiosity who was this then?

megadodge

most of the top pro's who won both olympic gold and the world title value the olympic higher..

just out of curiosity who was this then?

Sugar Ray Leonard and George Foreman are two that come to mind.