Video: Ekow Essuman spoke to Notts TV in December about his Olympic quest
Bilborough boxer Ekow Essuman says some pro fighters ‘won’t stand a chance’ when they step into the ring with amateurs at the Olympics.
Professional boxers will be allowed to fight at the Olympics for the first time following a decision by the member federations.
This means that professional boxers could appear in Rio in 10 weeks’ time, including in the GB squad.
Bilborough Community Boxing fighter, Ekow ‘the Engine’ Essuman, remains hopeful of making the squad.
The outstanding amateur welterweight is currently touring the world with the Great Britain Lionheart team in the World Series of Boxing, and is appearing in the final this weekend.
To be the best you have to beat the best
He said: “I aim to perform well in this next bout (a rematch against Mohamed Rabii) to hopefully qualify for the next qualification and then impress and go to the Olympics. Then go pro and show the world what I’m all about.
“If you want to be the best you have to beat the best. Our job as amateurs is to school them in amateur boxing. It’s a completely different sport, with a completely different tempo.
“I’m not sure how many pros will make it (to the GB team) as they have so little chance to prepare.”
He added that the best professionals and elite amateur boxers would make for a good fight but that lower ranking professionals ‘didn’t stand a chance’ when facing the best amateurs at the Olympics.
Picture: Ekow in training for Bilborough Community Boxing
Amateurs fight over three rounds lasting three minutes and wear bigger gloves with a striking zone in an attempt to cushion the impact of blows. They aim to score points by landing blows on their opponents.
Professionals usually fight over 12 rounds lasting the three minutes and are paid to fight, with a greater emphasis on knock-outs.
There are 30 places available for men to join the Great Britain squad with three places per Olympic weight quality.
The decision to allow pros to fight at the games has been widely criticised by boxers across the spectrum, including Ricky Hatton, Lennox Lewis and Carl Frampton.
The British Boxing Board of Control also strongly objected.
Pro boxers in the olympics. What are AIBA thinking. Goodbye amateur boxing now as far as I'm concerned. Can't say I'm a fan of this.
— Ricky Hatton MBE (@HitmanHatton) June 1, 2016
But the overwhelming majority (95 per cent) of The International Boxing Association (AIBA) delegates voted for the change allowing all boxers to fight in their competitions.
After the historic vote, AIBA President, Dr Ching-Kuo Wu, said: “This is a momentous occasion for AIBA, for Olympic Boxing, and for our sport as a whole, and represents another great leap forward in the evolution of boxing.
“We have embraced reform at AIBA over the past decade, making historic changes that have shaped the present health of boxing and precipitated its ongoing surge in popularity worldwide.
“This move will ensure the empowerment of National Federations and enhance all future competitions including the Olympic Games.”
The British Boxing Board of Control statement:
Following the announcement that AIBA are to permit professional boxers to compete in future Olympic Games, the British Boxing Board of Control confirm their objection to such a proposal.
It is the belief of the British Boxing Board of Control that such a move is against the spirit of the Olympics, disrespectful to the many GB Amateur boxers who, throughout the Olympic cycle compete around the world in qualifying tournaments and ultimately dangerous.
It is the hope of the British Boxing Board of Control and many within the professional Sport in Great Britain and throughout the world that AIBA reconsider such a move that is not beneficial to the Sport as a whole.
