GB Boxing has rejected an approach on behalf of the reigning British middleweight champion Chris Eubank Jr. regarding a place on the team for Rio 2016.
The Press Association understands the inquiry was made by his father, Chris Eubank Sr., who made the move following confirmation by world governing body AIBA that professionals will be allowed at the Olympics.
Antony Fowler has already qualified for the Games at 75kg meaning Eubank's only chance would be to go as a light-welterweight or welterweight, which would almost certainly be beyond him.
While GB Boxing has not entirely dismissed the prospect of picking a professional for a future Olympics, sources have confirmed it would be highly unlikely for Rio at this late stage.
They remain optimistic that one -- if not both -- remaining men's places will be secured at one of the two remaining qualification events in Baku and Venezuela.
Meanwhile Matchroom, who promote Eubank Jr. as a professional, has also dismissed the development.
A GB Boxing spokesman said: "We can confirm that we have had enquiries from people claiming to represent Chris Eubank Jr.
"We explained that the qualification process for Rio 2016 has been going on for several months and that Great Britain has already qualified a boxer in the middleweight (75kg) category, Antony Fowler, and that he will represent Team GB in that weight class at the Olympic Games this summer."
Eubank Jr (22-1, 17 KOs), 26, makes a first defence of his British middleweight title against Welshman Tom Doran (17-0, 7 KOs) at London's O2 Arena on June 25 and is ranked in the world's top ten with three of the world's governing bodies.
Article courtesy of ESPN
The Press Association understands the inquiry was made by his father, Chris Eubank Sr., who made the move following confirmation by world governing body AIBA that professionals will be allowed at the Olympics.
Antony Fowler has already qualified for the Games at 75kg meaning Eubank's only chance would be to go as a light-welterweight or welterweight, which would almost certainly be beyond him.
While GB Boxing has not entirely dismissed the prospect of picking a professional for a future Olympics, sources have confirmed it would be highly unlikely for Rio at this late stage.
They remain optimistic that one -- if not both -- remaining men's places will be secured at one of the two remaining qualification events in Baku and Venezuela.
Meanwhile Matchroom, who promote Eubank Jr. as a professional, has also dismissed the development.
A GB Boxing spokesman said: "We can confirm that we have had enquiries from people claiming to represent Chris Eubank Jr.
"We explained that the qualification process for Rio 2016 has been going on for several months and that Great Britain has already qualified a boxer in the middleweight (75kg) category, Antony Fowler, and that he will represent Team GB in that weight class at the Olympic Games this summer."
Eubank Jr (22-1, 17 KOs), 26, makes a first defence of his British middleweight title against Welshman Tom Doran (17-0, 7 KOs) at London's O2 Arena on June 25 and is ranked in the world's top ten with three of the world's governing bodies.
Article courtesy of ESPN
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