Pros have chance to punch in at Olympics

Amateur boxing's decision to allow professionals into the Olympics for the first time drew fighting talk on Wednesday from champions and sanctioning bodies opposed to the break with tradition.

The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC), which governs the country's professional fight scene, said the change was dangerous, disrespectful and "against the spirit of the Olympics".

"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," it said in a statement.