MANCHESTER — Leading professional boxers could be eligible to compete in this year's Olympics under proposals put forward by the sport's world governing body.
Introducing rules to open Olympic tournaments to all boxers was discussed by the International Boxing Association during meetings in Manchester this week.
AIBA President Ching-Kuo Wu said after the meeting that the proposal could be ratified within months, potentially in time for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in August.
"We want the best boxers to come to the Olympic Games," Wu told Britain's Press Association, adding that it was "absolutely possible" the changes could be made in time for the Rio Games.
AIBA said the idea was being proposed to national federations. It must then be ratified by AIBA's executive commission.
Previously, only amateurs could compete in boxing tournaments in the Olympics. Since 2013, eligibility has been extended to professional boxers who have fought fewer than 15 paid bouts.
"It is an IOC policy to have the best athletes in the Games, and of the international federations, AIBA is probably the only one without professional athletes in the Olympics," Wu said.
Wu said AIBA wants to mark the body's 70th birthday with the ground-breaking change, and that the idea has "already received a very strong, positive response from our members."
Wu said boxing needs to "think about what the future of the sport will be."
"After 70 years, it is up to AIBA to set up a good foundation which will last for many decades," he added. "When I took over the presidency in 2006 I made it very clear the term of amateur is not really relevant because when you look now at all the Olympic sports, who is really amateur?
"I think the process is very clear and we plan to consider it very thoroughly."
The qualifying process for the Rio Olympics is already underway.
Since Wu became AIBA president in 2006, AIBA has dropped the word "amateur" from its official title, and removed vests and head guards from AIBA-sanctioned men's events.