Pro boxers get nod for Rio Olympics

Professional boxers can compete at the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, the sport’s governing body ruled in a landmark decision on Wednesday.

Meeting at an extraordinary congress in Lausanne, Switzerland, 95% of the Aiba delegates voted in favour of the controversial move, an Aiba statement said.

“This is a momentous occasion for Aiba, for Olympic boxing, and for our sport as a whole, and represents another great leap forward in the evolution of boxing,” Aiba chief Wu Ching-Kuo said.

The revolutionary decision is however unlikely to see boxing’s biggest names enter the Olympic ring in Rio. The last tournament is in Venezuela in July.

Vijender won’t be there Aiba’s decision brought the focus on Olympic medallist and pro star Vijender Singh, who will not be seen in Rio as he hasn’t been left with any time or chance to make the cut. He is scheduled to fight for the WBO Asia title belt on July 16 in the national capital.

“I welcome Aiba’s decision of allowing professional boxers to compete in the Rio Olympics. I am yet to receive the formalities for this entire process. Since there is no federation in the country, I do not know who will guide me for this entire thing.

“Right now, I am concentrating on my July 16 title fight to be held in New Delhi,” Vijender said when asked whether he would give Olympic qualification a shot.