Amir Khan Facing Two Year Boxing Ban

British boxing star Amir Khan could be facing a two year boxing ban should he choose to fight for Pakistan in the Olympics in Rio.

The WBC has confirmed that they plan to ban fighters for two years if they compete in the Rio Olympics. They have stated that if any of the ‘highly ranked’ boxers go to the Olympics they will suspend them for 24 months.

This is a clear indication that the WBC, known as the main boxing governing body, disagree with the AIBA’s decision to allow professional boxers to compete at the games in 2016.

When the WBC say ‘highly ranked,’ they are referring to all of the WBC champions and the top 15 members that are ranked in all weight divisions. That’s a lot of big names. Many that have been linked to possibly making an appearance at the games in the summer of 2016.

The WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman says: “The WBC reiterates its total opposition to allowing professionals to fight amateurs in Rio 2016. This is a scenario where severe mismatches could end in tragedies.”

“All our champions and top 15 ranked boxers are forbidden to participate. If they do so they will be banned for two years.”

Khan could be facing a doubly hit should he choose to fight for Pakistan, not only could he been banned for two years by the WBC, the British public could turn their back on him. Khan won a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens for Britain. That helped build a massive fan base in the UK. A fan base that could be seriously in jeopardy should he fight for Pakistan.

The British Boxing Board of Control who supports the WBC position on this matter says, “We are in constant contact with them on this issue. It is a matter of serious consideration for Amir,” said Robert Smith, the general secretary.

“I cannot see any chance at all of the WBC relaxing their position before the Rio Games begin in August. Nor do we think they should.”