[Vano-irons]

From sky sports

Amateur boxing faces radical changes after new rules were agreed to scrap headguards and allow some professional fighters to compete at the Olympic Games.

The AIBA, amateur boxing's world governing body, confirmed that some professionals - predominantly those in the early stages of their career - could qualify for future Games, but this would rule out British stars such as Amir Khan or Carl Froch

Men competing in elite competitions might soon fight without headguards, although they will still be used by women and juniors.

President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu plans to introduce these changes as part of the launch of AIBA Professional Boxing (APB).

He said: "In order to truly develop the APB ranking competitions with the best boxers around the world, APB will accept current professional boxers to join APB with limited terms and conditions.

"In addition, most importantly, we will allow these APB boxers to compete in the Olympic Games, and we plan to make this dream come true from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games."

He added: "With the launch of APB, we will change the technical and competition rules for all of our programmes. This means that we aim to take headguards off in all elite men's competitions."

Is this a good thing? Not a fan of allowing pros to enter, but getting rid of head guards will be good in the long run

 

[Chatty]

i think the headguard thing is good for as long as its not kids or novices so that will improve the sport.

They were meant to be changing to a 10 point must system as well, I hope so cause the current system just encourages tippy tap shit.

The pros have to be novice pros as far as I have heard. Could be a decent system as well as the GB team are biased as fuck sometimes and it will give those who wouldn't get a chance the opportunity to prove them wrong.

 

[Vano-irons]

A 10 point must system would be much better than the crap we're stuck with at the minute

 

[DrMo]

The computer based scoring (brought in after the Roy Jones robbery in '88 I think) was perhaps the most damaging thing to ever happen to the sport.

A whole generation of amatuers have turned pro without the proper fundamentals. Theyve learned to tippy-tap, to score a point & retreat. Am boxing has become more like gloved fencing than fighting. The whole system massively favours guys who are tall, rangy & only throw straight shots, bodywork & effective aggression is hugely neglected.

No headguards (for seniors) & a 10 points must system would be a massive improvement, not too keen on allowing pros in the Olympics. The WSB guys are already well paid so I dont see the need to allow pros.

 

[Michael]

i think the headguard thing is good for as long as its not kids or novices so that will improve the sport.

They were meant to be changing to a 10 point must system as well, I hope so cause the current system just encourages tippy tap shit.

The pros have to be novice pros as far as I have heard. Could be a decent system as well as the GB team are biased as fuck sometimes and it will give those who wouldn't get a chance the opportunity to prove them wrong.

As far as I know the headguard thing is only for Senior boxers, so I have no major problems with it.

 

[Michael]

Pro's shouldnt be allowed to enter though, thats just blurring the lines between pro and amateur boxing.

I know many of these changes will benefit boxing in the long run, but I cant help but think that the AIBA are partly doing this to gain greater control over boxing in general.

 

[Lunny]

I don't like the idea of getting any pros in whatsoever. At the moment there's a really good separation between the amateur and pro game that really sticks with what the Olympic spirit.

 

[Chatty]

Pro's shouldnt be allowed to enter though, thats just blurring the lines between pro and amateur boxing.

I know many of these changes will benefit boxing in the long run, but I cant help but think that the AIBA are partly doing this to gain greater control over boxing in general.

I think they are, I think they are hoping to create their own pro brand in the future and this will act as a sort of tester. It does have its benefits though, I think its for 8 bouts and under with no title wins. Some people who run the national teams can be biased as fuck so it gives those who have had no option to turn over a chance at fulfilling a dream if they are good enough.

 

[GazOC]

Theres a theory that headguards discourage casual fan support because you can't see facial expressions as well. Fuck knows if its true or not...

 

[Michael]

I think they are, I think they are hoping to create their own pro brand in the future and this will act as a sort of tester. It does have its benefits though, I think its for 8 bouts and under with no title wins. Some people who run the national teams can be biased as fuck so it gives those who have had no option to turn over a chance at fulfilling a dream if they are good enough.

When you put it like that, it doesnt sound too bad, still have my reservations though. I wonder whats the qualification process for pro's though?

 

[Michael]

Theres a theory that headguards discourage casual fan support because you can't see facial expressions as well. Fuck knows if its true or not...

Its plausible Gaz. Some of my mates that are casual fans have the impression that Amateur boxing inst really that physical, what with fewer rounds, bigger gloves and headguards. It is also true that Amateur boxing does lack in action and entertainment because of the scoring system and methods of fighting. Hopefully these new rules the AIBA cure some of those problems.

Tbh, ive always found a lot of matches at the big competitions like the Euro's, worlds and the Olympics a bit boring to watch myself. A lot of the bouts you get in the nationals are often better to watch imo. You get some cracking fights in the Irish national's and the ABA's :good

 

[GazOC]

I lost a lot of interest when the "new" scoring system came in, it really separated am and pro boxing as sports.

 

[Chatty]

The thing is i really like going to the amateurs at the lower level, its a lot faster paced due to being shorter in rounds and at a lower level they are generally more up for a scrap. Its at international level where it starts to slow down as they are taught to slow the pace and time their shots more making it more chess like than a scrap.

 

[Flea Man]

I think the lack of headguards and implementing a ten point must system is great.

As for pro' fighters, I think maybe an interesting idea would be to let amateurs turn 'professional' against each other, so anyone licensed as an amateur can fight for money against other licensed amateurs. Rather than say, David Haye somehow getting into the Olympics atsch But not really sure of the technicalities of what they're bringing into place in that respect, so fearing the worst rather than atually knowing it'll be that ludicrous.

 

[Flea Man]

The computer based scoring (brought in after the Roy Jones robbery in '88 I think) was perhaps the most damaging thing to ever happen to the sport.

A whole generation of amatuers have turned pro without the proper fundamentals. Theyve learned to tippy-tap, to score a point & retreat. Am boxing has become more like gloved fencing than fighting. The whole system massively favours guys who are tall, rangy & only throw straight shots, bodywork & effective aggression is hugely neglected.

No headguards (for seniors) & a 10 points must system would be a massive improvement, not too keen on allowing pros in the Olympics. The WSB guys are already well paid so I dont see the need to allow pros.

Agree wholeheartedly and I've said it myself before. Great post.

The penny dropped for me when I first saw footage of Ray Leonard at Montreal. That's when I realised just why the Olympians don't fight like actual boxers all that much anymore :lol:

 

[Jasper Simone]

Really dislike the idea of adding pro's to the Olympic set up. Think it's a terrible idea and even if they set parameters at say 5 pro fights, it wouldn't be long before they extended this, throwing the whole idea of Olympic boxing into shambles.

Removing head gear is a massive plus as is the 10 point must system. The current system has had an adverse effect on the sport in general and the sooner it is changed, the sooner will will reap the benefits in the pro game.