As President of the Association of Boxing Commissions, the Board of Directors and I are disappointed in AIBA’s decision to allow amateur boxers to compete with professionals in the Olympics. Even worse than just a majority vote, the vote of 84 to 0 in favor, is a statement in and of itself.
The ABC is committed to fighter safety, so hopefully, the AIBA/IOC Committee will consider the potential risk and future ramifications of allowing amateur boxers to compete with professional boxers. Surely, their decision should be determined by athlete safety. The ABC has spoken about out against this proposal previously, from the use/non-use of headgear, boxing style and experience, method of scoring awards, and a level playing field, this proposal is fraught with danger. As we know in boxing, one bad match-up can mean the difference, literally, in life and death.
I hope both the IOC and AIBA will reconsider their stance.
The ABC is committed to fighter safety, so hopefully, the AIBA/IOC Committee will consider the potential risk and future ramifications of allowing amateur boxers to compete with professional boxers. Surely, their decision should be determined by athlete safety. The ABC has spoken about out against this proposal previously, from the use/non-use of headgear, boxing style and experience, method of scoring awards, and a level playing field, this proposal is fraught with danger. As we know in boxing, one bad match-up can mean the difference, literally, in life and death.
I hope both the IOC and AIBA will reconsider their stance.
By Michael Mazzulli / ABC President
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