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The AIBA Goes Professional In 2016 For The Brazil Olympics
Is the AIBA Taking Over?
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
The International Amateur Boxing Association and the International Olympic Committee have both responded to widespread criticism of the plan of AIBA president Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu and executive director Ho Kim to allow professional boxers to compete in the Olympic Games beginning 2016.
The AIBA stated “please take note that the only European Boxing Confederation recognized by AIBA is the EUBC, not the European Boxing Union. Generaly speaking on the participation of AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) boxers in the Rio 2016 Olymoiuc Games, following on the allegations of the World Boxing Council and its President Mr.Jose Sulaiman, the International Olympic Committee has made clear that AIBA is the only governing body of the sport of boxing that it recognizes worldwide.”
The AIBA PR and Communications Director added that “the qualification process for AIBA Open Boxing (AOB), World Series of Boxing (WSB) and AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) BOXERS FOR THE Rio Olympic Games will be discussed and agreed between the IOC and AIBA early in 2014.”
The AIBA position was ratified by the IOC in response to a query we sent to President Jacques Rogge in the face of growing criticism from several international boxing organizations, the latest being the World Boxing Association in which secretary general Gilberto Mendoza said he “fully agrees with the WBC on AIBA interference with professional boxing” and added that the WBA will support any action to protect the sport.”
In a statement sent to The Standard, the IOC Media Relations Team said “As far as the IOC is concerned, AIBA is fully independent as outlined in the Olympic Charter. But they will have to present their new eligibility conditions prior to Rio 2016, just as they did prior to London 2012 with regard to the participation of WSB boxers.”
Despite WBC president Sulaiman’s insistence that the IOC did not respond to his letter to president Rogge, the IOC claimed they “responded to the WBC on 12 April and we have no further comment on the matter.”
Credit Boxing Scene
APB announces world class line-up for APB exhibition bouts in Rio
By AIBA
Lausanne, Switzerland, 19 June 2013. The International Boxing Association (AIBA) today announced its line-up for AIBA Pro Boxing's (APB) exhibition bouts to take place in the Ginásio de Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, on August 10.
The Brazilian 2016 Olympic Games host city looks set for an electric Saturday night on August 10th with APB exhibition bouts featuring some of the biggest names in the boxing world. Local fans will be treated to a real sporting celebration as two of the most recognisable faces in Brazil (London 2012 Olympic silver medallist) Esquiva Florentino Falcao and his brother, (London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist) Yamaguchi Florentino Falcao face off against EUBC silver medallist, Romanian Bogdan Juratoni and French sensation Michel Tavares.
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