AIBA denies bid to take over the sport

Shanghai, July 25 

The International Boxing Association (AIBA) on Monday denied accusations it is trying to take over the sport, following a controversial decision to let professional boxers fight at the Rio Olympics.

At an AIBA congress in Lausanne in Switzerland last month, 95 percent of delegates voted to allow professional boxers for the first time ever to enter the competition.

The decision was met with widespread derision in the boxing world, with many making their views clear even before the change was made. 

AIBA president Wu Ching-Kuo said the organisation had no plans to take over the sport and allowing professionals to compete in Olympic boxing was a great step forward for it.

The official, who is Taiwanese, made the comments at a press conference to announce a joint venture to promote boxing between AIBA and Alisports, an arm of Chinese internet giant Alibaba which is owned by entrepreneur Jack Ma.

“We never said we want to take over boxing. We just want to open the door because no one can stop athletes from going to the Olympics, that is a fundamental concept,” Wu said.

“If the athlete says ‘My dream is to go to the Olympics’, then we just want to open the door.” — AFP