Mike Tyson has branded a proposal to let professional fighters compete at the Olympics as “ridiculous” and “foolish”.
In Beijing to promote professional boxing in China, former heavyweight champion Tyson said any pro boxers going to the Olympics should be prepared to lose because the amateurs could prove too fast for them.
“It’s ridiculous, it’s foolish and some of the pro fighters are going to get beat by the amateurs,” Tyson said.
“It’s just going to happen. Some of them are going to get beat I think. I really believe that.”
The head of the International Boxing Association, C.K. Wu, has proposed allowing pros at the Olympics, although it’s uncertain how the plan would be implemented for Rio because qualification tournaments are either underway or have already been held for boxers in most countries.
Amateur bouts involve a maximum of four rounds, while professional fights can last as many as 12.
Tyson said he still has strong memories of the speed and skill of boxers from Cuba, Russia and elsewhere he fought as an amateur in the 1980s.