This is for the readers who asks: if Kobe Bryant, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal who are after all professionals were allowed to play in amateur laden Olympics, why can't professional boxers do so?

Olympics used to be a competition of amateurs. In the 1980s however, The International Olympic Committee (IOC) changed its rules. All of a sudden, international sports federations were given the power to decide on whether or not professionals can compete in the Olympics.

In 1988, the International Basketball Federation (IBF) allowed professional basketball players to join the Olympics. National Basketball Association (NBA) players first participated in the Olympics in 1992. Other sports federations followed.

Other sports organizations are however not as amicable to sending its pros to the Olympics. This is why diplomacy between IOC and the various international sports federations is important.

The International Football Federation (FIFA) for example only allowed those whose age are under 23 and an optional 3 professionals for each country to play in the Olympics. The FIFA does so because it doesn't want to diminish the impact and prestige of it's own World Cup.

The Major League Baseball calendar conflicts with the summer Olympics schedule. Because of this, baseball will no longer be part of the Olympics after Beijing.

In boxing, professional and amateurs have different rules. Amateurs fight for only 4 rounds, safety first, helmet wearing, win by points game. Professional boxing is a bloody, 10 to 12 rounds try-to-win-by-knockout game. Because of this, the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) continues to restrict participation in the Olympics to amateur boxers.