Oscar De La Hoya Pleads For AIBA To Not Let Professionals Box In Olympics

The Int'l Boxing Association should "focus on its job -- improving boxing in a way that draws more young people to the sport and fans to the stands," rather than approve a plan to allow pro boxers to compete in the Rio Games, according to an op-ed by Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya in the L.A. TIMES. De La Hoya wrote, "I hope they come to their senses and keep superstars out of the ring. Imagine you're a young amateur boxer and you've worked your entire young life with one goal in mind: an Olympic medal." Being up against "the best amateurs in the world" is "hard enough." But if an amateur has to "face a superstar like Manny Pacquiao," they will wonder if they "should even bother competing." It does not "make sense to pit a fighter who hasn't yet reached his ideal weight against one who has." The AIBA should not "subject aspiring Olympians to potential heartache, pain and defeat before they even enter the ring" (L.A.TIMES, 4/14).