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Chris Eubank Jr interested, but won't fight in Olympics

There was an inquiry made on behalf of Chris Eubank Jr, but he won't be fighting in Rio.

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

After AIBA's ruling that will allow professional boxers to compete in the Olympic Games, starting this year in Rio, Chris Eubank Jr's father Chris Eubank Sr reportedly approached Great Britain Boxing to see about getting his son into this year's Games. GB Boxing rejected that, however, as they've already got a fighter qualified at 75kg (165 lbs) in Antony Fowler.

A GB Boxing spokesman said: "We can confirm that we have had enquiries from people claiming to represent Chris Eubank Jr.

"We explained that the qualification process for Rio 2016 has been going on for several months and that Great Britain has already qualified a boxer in the middleweight (75kg) category, Antony Fowler, and that he will represent Team GB in that weight class at the Olympic Games this summer."

Eubank (22-1, 17 KO) will defend his British middleweight title on June 25 in London, facing undefeated Tom Doran (17-0, 7 KO) of Wales on the Anthony Joshua-Dominic Breazeale undercard.

What seems likely, not just with GB Boxing but pretty much everywhere, is that if pros do compete in the Olympics, it would likely start in 2020, as there is simply not much time remaining before Rio begins on August 5. Most of the qualification has already been held, with a couple of events remaining to fill final slots. Pro fighters simply aren't going to be ready in most cases, even if they have a desire to compete this year.

Team USA has also already said they will not send any professionals to Rio.

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