Why do amateur fighters and not pro fighters fight in Olympic boxing?

Question

Aren't the Olympic games about being the best in the world? If that's the case why not let more skilled professional fighters fight in the Olympics. Could you imagine having Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito, Kelly Pavlick, Bernard Hopkins, etc. in the Olympics?!

Answer 1

Most events in the Olympics are for the up and coming yet to be professionals.

The exceptions that confuse me was the basketball game I saw between the US and China.

As good as it was, they were all pros

Answer 2

Not allowing professional boxers into the Olympics is simply one of the rules set by IBO (international boxing org.).  FIBA, the international organization for basketball, for example didnt allow NBA players into the Olympics until the early 90's.  This resulted in the "Dream Team" of '92 and the conglomeration of some of the greatest basketball players in history.

Of course, if IBO happened to allow professional boxers into the Olympics, my guess is not much would change.  In other words, I'm almost positive that pro's will not participate in the fights.  It's simply a matter of priorities.  Would you rather fight 1 or 2 times a year, take the title of world champion, and earn $30 million per fight?  Or would you rather participate in fight after fight, take a Gold Medal in Olympics, and earn virtually nothing.  My guess is you'd take $30 million.

Answer 3

The Olympics were originally started by the Greeks seeking  fun filled sports with young men participating. As time went on the Olympics remained a sport for amateurs only. A professional may not participate in a game for which he/she earns money, but they may participate in another field.

Answer 4

That's the rule the international boxing federation follows. Each sport picks its own rules.

Besides, it would be tough to have an elimination tournament among pros. They aren't exactly used to fighting a few rounds every other day like that any more. And the rules are totally different.

Answer 5

The Olympics started out being a purely amateur competition.

It has stayed purely amateur for boxing because organisers fear dangerous match ups between amateurs and professionals

Answer 6

once you go pro, you arent allowed back into the olympics.

thats the rule

Answer 7

pros arent alowwed to participate because it could endanger the amatuer boxers in the competition

I beleive the chairman of the IOC said something like that during an interview

Answer 8

The olympics are for amateur's (ie, someone who does not get paid to play their sport - they get paid for endorsements), professionals get paid so are not allowed. Hence the uproar about cricket becoming an olympic sport!