Andy Ruiz Jr would be banned from fighting for the WBC world title if he competes in next year’s Olympics.
The Mexican-American currently holds the WBA, WBO and IBF belts after his shock upset of Anthony Joshua in June.
If he wins their rematch in Saudi Arabia in December, he will target WBC champion Deontay Wilder next year in a bid to becoming the undisputed champion.
But Ruiz has also expressed a willingness to compete at Tokyo 2020 after a plea from the Mexican president.
In doing so, however, he would be denying himself the chance to add the fourth belt to his collection.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said: “The WBC strongly disagrees with supporting a professional boxer competing in the Olympic games.
“It’s something unacceptable that should not be accepted by fans and boxing experts in the world.
“Olympic amateur boxing is completely different. They are two different sports and it is very dangerous. We cannot accept this.
“If any professional boxer, including champions or former champions, decide to participate in the next Olympics, they will have a sanction of at least two years in the WBC.”
In a letter from the office of Mexico’s president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Ruiz was last week invited to enter the qualifying process for the Games.
The invitation continues: “We face a historical challenge as for more than half a century, Mexico has not obtained a gold medal in boxing.
“But with your support and patriotic collaboration, we are sure that its boxing talents will bring Olympic glory to our country and in the same way, you will receive the thanks of the people of Mexico.”
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