IBF announces punishments for pro boxers competing in Olympics

When the International Boxing Association voted to allow professional boxers to compete in the Olympics for the first time in Rio, the decision was met with widespread criticism and concern.

Now, it’s being met with more concrete promises of penalties.

The International Boxing Federation (IBF) announced Monday that it will strip IBF titles from any pro who competes in the 2016 Summer Olympics. The federation also said that it will remove any professional Olympics competitor from its rankings for one year.

The IBF decision reflects those previously aired concerns, which largely revolve around the safety of placing amateurs in the ring opposite professionals.

“Part of our commitment to this sport is to promote the health and well-being of the boxers,” IBF president Daryl Peoples explained in a statement.

The IBF is one of four major international boxing governing bodies. The World Boxing Council (WBC) has said that if one of its top-15 boxers chooses to compete in the Olympics, he will be banned for two years.

The other two major organizations, the World Boxing Association (WBA) and the World Boxing Organization (WBO), have yet to specify any potential sanctions.

Professional and retired boxers have spoken out against the decision to allow pros to participate, though the opinions of amateurs are mixed. “I feel like we’ve got the advantage,” amateur Shakur Stevenson said. “Professionals, they fight 12 rounds. We fight three rounds. Our pace is a lot quicker than theirs.” Stevenson has already qualified for the Rio games.

An Olympic qualifying tournament is scheduled for July, and professionals will be allowed to participate.

The Olympics begin Aug. 5 in Rio de Janeiro.