The world's best professional boxers could be eligible to compete in this year's Olympics under proposals put forward by the sport's world governing body.
The International Boxing Association (AIBA) discussed a fast-track proposal to open Olympic tournaments to all boxers during their meetings in Manchester this week.
After the meeting on Wednesday, AIBA President Ching-Kuo Wu said the proposal could be ratified within months, potentially in time for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in August.
"We want the best boxers to come to the Olympic Games," Wu told Britain's Press Association, adding that it was "absolutely possible" the changes could be made in time for Rio.
But with the qualifying process already well under way for the Rio field, a large influx of star pro boxers seems unlikely this year.
Mike Martino, the executive director of USA Boxing, told The Associated Press that he doesn't anticipate any star American fighters joining the Rio team.
"Do I think it's going to happen this year? No," Martino said.
"Practically speaking, we're looking at 2020.
"We've talked to the USOC about how it impacts the sport, and it's huge.
"The Dream Team changed basketball in the Olympics forever. This will obviously change boxing forever."
Martino said that while USA Boxing alumni such as Andre Ward and Floyd Mayweather have provided financial and personal support to the program, no star professional boxers have expressed serious interest in joining the US men's team, which hasn't won a gold medal in the past two Olympics.
Since 2013, Olympics eligibility has been extended to professional boxers who have fought fewer than 15 paid bouts.
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