George Foreman: Olympic boxing pro decision 'erases spirit'
Boxing legend George Foreman has hit out at plans to allow professional fighters to compete at the Olympics.
The International Boxing Association (AIBA) yesterday agreed to a rule change, which means paid boxers are now eligible to enter qualification for this summer's Rio Games.
Previously, only amateurs were allowed in Olympic competition, with the Games a common starting point for many fighters, including Foreman, who won gold for the USA in 1968 en route to a pro career in which he twice won the world heavyweight title.
He believes allowing professionals into the competition could spell the end for such 'rags to riches' fairytales.
Foreman told the Express & Star: "Boxing is the lifeblood of the Olympics – it is what it is all about, the chance of a kid who has nothing to rise and become a giant in that moment.
"They should not lose that. I think it is a horrible concept."
Foreman has compared the decision to that which first allowed professional basketball players to compete in the 1992 Games.
He said: "Once they allowed basketball players in, the stories of rags to riches disappeared.
"The Olympics were a chance for countries to compete with their best amateurs.
"You had the Dream Team going to the Olympics and staying in hotels. They weren't representative of our country.
"I went to the Olympics and people had to give me this and that to participate. If you take that away you are erasing the Olympic spirit."
