LOS ANGELES (AP) — Unbeaten light heavyweight Artur Beterbiev is the latest professional boxer to decide he won't try to win a spot in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
The two-time Russian Olympian announced his decision through his Canadian promoter, Yvon Michel, on Wednesday.
The International Boxing Association (AIBA) recently voted to allow professional fighters to compete for spots in the Rio field, but the Olympic sport's governing body is finding very few interested pros outside of AIBA's in-house professional competitions.
The Dagestan-born Beterbiev (10-0, 10 KOs) fought as a light heavyweight in Beijing and as a heavyweight in London, losing to the eventual gold medalist each time.