WBC bans top fighters from competing at the Olympics

After AIBA released a statement indicating a move towards allowing professional fighters to compete in the Olympic games, the WBC has issued its own ruling banning its champions and top contenders from participating. Their announcement even comes with a pretty cool photo of Erislandy Lara giving an amateur version of Little Mac a bloody eye for added emphasis.

As for the statement itself, the WBC says if any champion or top 15 rated fighter competes at the Olympics, they will be "immediately expelled" by the sanctioning body.

"It is not possible to imagine, much less accept a fight between professional boxers, who already have a physical development and more advanced technical skills, facing young fighters that are just starting this process.

"Boxing is not a game. There is no scoring with goals or baskets. Rather, it is a contact sport which must be taken seriously. Reasoning must prevail, the function of all bodies must be always care and regulate the safety and healthcare of boxers."

As such, if Manny Pacquiao were to take up an invitation to compete in the upcoming Olympics, which he expressed interest in, he would no longer be eligible to compete for the WBC. Then again, as Pacquiao has frequently mentioned that his upcoming bout against Tim Bradley will be his last professional fight, that may not be any real deterrent.