LAUSANNE, Switzerland — The governing body of boxing has voted to let professionals fight at the upcoming Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
The vote allows any world champion boxer to try to qualify next month and win selection for their national team.
AIBA’s plan has been criticized across the professional ranks as a move toward dangerous mismatches between established boxers and inexperienced amateurs.
In a vote of member federations Wednesday, AIBA says 84 of 88 approved the rule change, less than 10 weeks before the first bouts in Rio.
AIBA says 26 entry places can be earned at an Olympic qualifying tournament in Venezuela next month.
AIBA president CK Wu has consistently pushed to extend its influence over professional boxing. In 2013, Olympic eligibility was given to paid fighters signed to AIBA-run professional tournaments.
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