Tyson rubbishes pro proposal

BEIJING: A proposal to let professional fighters compete in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics is “ridiculous” and “foolish,” former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson said

BEIJING: A proposal to let professional fighters compete in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics is “ridiculous” and “foolish,” former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson said Wednesday.

HT Image

In Beijing to promote professional boxing in China, Tyson said any pro boxers going to the Olympics should be prepared to lose because the amateurs could prove too fast for them.

“It’s ridiculous, it’s foolish and some of the pro fighters are going to get beat by the amateurs,” Tyson said. “It’s just going to happen. Some of them are going to get beat I think. I really believe that.”

The head of the International Boxing Association, CK Wu, has proposed allowing pros in the Olympics, although it’s uncertain how the plan would be implemented for Rio because qualification tournaments are either underway or have already been held for boxers in most countries.

Amateur bouts involve a maximum of four rounds, while professional fights can last as many as 12.