The International Boxing Association -- the recognized international amateur boxing governing body -- made an unprecedented move on Wednesday at what the organization called an “Extraordinary Congress” in Lausanne, Switzerland. There, it removed Article 13 (J) of the AIBA Statutes, allowing professional fighters to compete in the Olympic Games, starting on Aug. 5.
AIBA President Ching-Kuo Wu said the change to the AIBA constitution was approved with 95 percent in favor, or 84 of 88 voting delegates that attended the Extraordinary Congress.
“We approved it, and now they can compete,” Wu told Reuters.
AIBA’s decision supports the IOC Agenda 2020, which seeks to ensure that the world’s best athletes are eligible to compete at the Olympic Games.