British Boxing reject Chris Eubank Jr application to fight for GB in Rio

According to various media reports on Tuesday afternoon, the British middleweight champion, the son of the former world champion of the same name, was keen on fighting in a competition that was previously only open to amateur fighters.

"We have explained to Eubank’s representatives that we already have Anthony Fowler qualified for Rio at middleweight after a long process," said GB Boxing in a statement.

"We have accepted places for eight boxers already, including Fowler, and having done so we cannot send boxers in their weight divisions to any further qualification events."

Eubank Jr is ranked at number two by the WBA in the boxing rankings and number three by the WBC.

His last fight was his win over Nick Blackwell in March, a brutal contest which was halted in the tenth round before Blackwell was carried out of the ring on a stretcher receiving oxygen.

He was placed in an induced coma due to swelling to his brain. Blackwell has recovered, but has since been forced to retire from boxing.

Eubank, with a points defeat to Billy Jo Saunders in 2014 the only blemish on his record in 23 fights, is due to fight fellow Brit Tom Doran on June 25 at the O2 Arena in London, but it remains unclear what effect hs bid to participate in the Olympics will have on this fight.

He has also been linked with a lucrative fight against Gennady Golovkin, the triple middleweight champion.

The sport's amateur governing body, the International Boxing Association (AIBA), voted last Wednesday to make a rule change allowing professionals to compete in this summer's Games.

Eubank could have to come through a qualifying tournament to compete in the event as wildcards will not be granted to interested professional. They will have to pursue qualification at a tournament scheduled for Venezuela in July, according to reports.

Amir Khan has already stated he is keen to represent Pakistan at the Rio Olympiics,12 years after winning a silver medal for GB as a lightweight in Athens at the age of 17.

"It will help boxers and if I am permitted as per rules and from my promoter then I would love to compete for Pakistan," said Khan.

"I will be very happy if I can compete in the Olympics. I want to serve Pakistan."

You can understand why there has been talk of professionals fighting at the Olympic Games when professional tennis players and golfers are allowed to be in Rio, but boxing is governed by a different set of rules. Namely the risk that could be involved in allowing hardened professionals to engage in combat with unheralded amateurs. Unlike tennis or golf, you don't play boxing. it is a serious health risk in the wrong conditions.

Eubank Jr's fight with Blackwell is a classic illustration of what can go wrong when the two professionals step inside the ropes. Can you imagine the carnage there could be if such a fighter comes across a raw amateur in Rio? Or the outrage there will be if there is serious damage to a boxer.

This is a wise piece of advice by Britain's latest world champion Tony Bellew, WBC cruiserweight holder, who was scathing in his criticism of the proposal. "

Golfers and tennis players only suffer battered pride in defeat, not damaged bodies.