?NACHO? BERISTAIN SAYS ALLOWING PRO BOXERS TO COMPETE IN THE OLYMPICS IS COMPLETE MADNESS
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 21 Mar 2016
Another highly respected trainer, Hall of Famer Ignacio ?Nacho? Beristain has come out strongly against the announced plans of AIBA president Dr. Wu Kuo Ching to allow professional boxers to compete in the Olympic Games beginning in Rio de Janeiro this year.
Beristain branded the plan ?complete madness? who told Boxing Scene the scenario seems to be ?a recipe for disaster and its a project without a future.?
The respected trainer who has handled Olympic boxers from Mexico.
The AIBA which is the governing body for amateur boxing is aiming to copy the entry of NBA players in the Barcelona Olympics in the form of the ?Dream Team? because they believe ?it will increase the quality of the matches.?
Beristain knows the sport as he trains several former and current world champions and said ?this project is impossible to be a success because of numerous factors which separate an amateur from a pro.
The renowned trainer said ?they will ruin the essence of amateur boxing. I don?t understand how a professional that practices this discipline to make a living would risk that for a tournament like this one.?
The AIBA has also proposed to eliminate the use of headgear that protects boxers which is something that has been thoroughly criticized by the entire boxing community as that would create a dangerous situation where an amateur risks suffering serious injuries by facing a professional.
Beristain added, ?I think this is a complete mixture of nonsense. The way judges evaluate amateur and professional boxing is different, the way they punch is way different.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Villanueva to fight Antaran on April 27 in Gensan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 20 Apr 2025MASOUD AND MCGRAIL CLASH IN ALL-BRITISH SHOWDOWN
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Semifinals Conclude at 2025 USA Boxing International Open
Sun, 20 Apr 2025FM Arca is inching closer to his 3rd and final IM norm
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Weigh-In Results: Fundora and Conwell Ready for Golden Boy Fight Night in Oceanside
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Undefeated, rising Canadian prospect Eric Basran wins in Opening round to advance to quarterfinals of inaugural Riyadh Season/WBC Boxing Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia
Sat, 19 Apr 2025WEIGHTS FROM LONG BEACH
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Weights From Washington, PA
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Jerald Into Advances in WBC Boxing Grand Prix with Dominant Win Over Ahmad Jones
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Press Conference Notes: Keyshawn Davis Set for Homecoming Title Defense against Edwin De Los Santos at Norfolk's Scope Arena
Sat, 19 Apr 2025JAKE PAUL vs JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR / ZURDO RAMIREZ vs YUNIEL DORTICOS JUNE 28 in ANAHEIM
Sat, 19 Apr 2025June 8: Junto Nakatani-Ryosuke Nishida Bantamweight Unification Showdown Headlines Tokyo Super Card Streaming LIVE on ESPN+
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Thursday’s Action at the 2025 USA Boxing International Open Concludes
Sat, 19 Apr 2025H2O Sylve Returns to the Ring April 26th At Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta Amado Vargas Is Co-Main Live On BLK PRIME
Sat, 19 Apr 2025FM Arca bounces back, defeats IM Laohawirapap of Thailand in 6th round
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 19 Apr 2025