Rio 2016: GB Boxing rejects Chris Eubank Jr Olympics approach
Last updated on .From the section Boxing

GB Boxing has rejected an approach from Chris Eubank Sr about his son competing at the Rio Olympics this summer.
Chris Eubank Jr, the 26-year-old British middleweight champion, is eligible for Rio after a rule change allowed professionals to compete.
But GB Boxing said amateur middleweight Anthony Fowler, 25, would represent Team GB in that weight category.
Fowler secured his place at Rio 2016 by beating German opponent Xhek Paskali at the European qualifier in April.
Eubank Jr will make the first defence of his British title against Welshman Tom Doran at The O2 in London on 25 June.
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It hasn't happened here in this instance, but elsewhere in other countries, amateurs that have worked four or more years for this opportunity are maybe being replaced by professionals who might have a better chance of winning a medal for their country.
I'm glad the British board have rejected Eubank's request, but sadly other nations boards will be only too happy to allow pros to enter if it gives them their best shot at gold.
It's because, by and large, most of those sports you mentioned were traditionally amateur. There is now no such thing as an amateur athlete in most of the developed world.
Boxing is a sport that still has clearly defined amateur and pro participants. The Olympics are still important for boxing to bring new blood through the ranks. Allowing pros is going to be unhelpful.