5 British Fighters Who Should Consider Competing at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games
The Olympics has offered boxing fans a glimpse into the future.
Some of the sport's greatest names shot to fame by striking gold at the Games. Before he became Muhammad Ali, Cassius Clay claimed victory in the light heavyweight division in Rome in 1960.
Famous heavyweights have particularly made a mark at the Olympics—Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Lennox Lewis, Floyd Patterson and, most recently, Wladimir Klitschko all stood out as future stars.
But it's not just the big men who have made a big impression. Sugar Ray Leonard was just plain old Ray Leonard when he won gold as a light welterweight at the Montreal Games in 1976.
They are just a few of the famous faces who triumphed at the Games as amateurs.
Now, though, a move by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) could see professional fighters get the chance to compete at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Brazil.
Per the Press Association (h/t the Guardian), AIBA president Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu said: "We want the best boxers to come to the Olympic Games. It is AIBA's 70th birthday, and we want something to change—not after four years, but now."
The move hasn't been met with universal approval. Former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis told BBC's Sportsweek (h/t BBC Sport): "I think it is preposterous to a certain degree."
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has also criticised the decision, per Gabriel F. Cordero of FightNews.com: "The World Boxing Council is really sad, disappointed and dismayed with the level at which the actions of AIBA has reached the lowest point in the history of Olympic boxing."
But, just for fun, Bleacher Report has picked out five professional fighters from Britain who should consider the Olympics.
Please note: This is not a list of those who would have the best chance of winning a medal for Team GB. It is also not an indication that any of the quintet are actually going to compete.
Luke Campbell
1 of 5
At the London Games in 2012, Luke Campbell (12-1, 10 KOs) was an Olympic hero when he struck gold in the bantamweight division.
The fighter from Hull, England, defeated Ireland's John Joe Nevin in the final. His success, which followed on from a silver medal at the 2011 World Amateur Boxing Championships, saw him awarded an MBE.
Campbell turned pro in the summer of 2013 and made serene progress in his first 12 fights, including beating city rival Tommy Coyle to claim the vacant WBC International lightweight title.
However, fight 13 proved to be an unlucky one for the baby-faced 28-year-old.
In what was seen as nothing more than a tune-up fight, Campbell came unstuck against Yvan Mendy. The Frenchman knocked Campbell down, and the Englishman suffered a split-decision points defeat.
The result has led to changes—the southpaw has been training in Miami with Jorge Rubio ahead of his bout with Gary Sykes on March 26, per John Dennen of Boxing News.
Why would he compete at the Olympics?
Campbell's pro career hit a blip, but there's no reason to think his long-term future isn't still bright.
But, having said that, his slick style and fast hands make him perfect for the amateur scoring system used at the Olympics. Why not go for a second successive gold medal before pushing for a world-title shot?
Nathan Cleverly
2 of 5
Nathan Cleverly is a former world champion whose professional career is at a crossroads.
The Welshman (29-3, 15 KOs) held the WBO light heavyweight title until he ran into Russian Sergey Kovalev in Aug. 2013.
Since then, Clev has had a brief stint at cruiserweight, during which time he lost a rematch with rival Tony Bellew, before dropping back down to the 175-pound limit.
He was last seen losing a brutal battle against Polish-born, Chicago-based puncher Andrzej Fonfara on a Premier Boxing Champions card.
Cleverly put up a brave performance in a unanimous-points defeat, particularly as he fought on with a badly broken nose, but missed out on the WBC International light heavyweight title.
The 29-year-old with a maths degree needs to work out a formula to get himself back in the world-title picture.
Why would he compete at the Olympics?
Per BoxRec, Cleverly doesn't have a fight lined up for the near future. So, why not consider a summer trip to Brazil with the added bonus of winning a medal?
He could comfortably make the limit for a light heavyweight for the Olympics, where his size (he's 6′1½″) reach (74 inches) and well-developed boxing skills would give him a real chance of success.
Carl Froch
3 of 5
Carl Froch is, of course, retired.
In announcing the end of his professional career in the summer of 2015, The Cobra said, per the Press Association (h/t the Guardian): "I have nothing left to prove and my legacy speaks for itself. Nothing can replace the thrill of stepping into the ring."
He finished up with a 33-2 (24 KOs) record, with his final fight seeing him knock out domestic rival George Groves in front of a full house at Wembley (he may have mentioned this once or twice since, by the way).
Froch has continued to be involved in boxing since hanging up his gloves, as he works in the media for Sky Sports.
There was brief talk of a comeback, with the 38-year-old telling James Orr of the Independent: "I’m happily retired but if the right fight comes along, while I’m still physically capable of fighting [I'd consider it]."
A two-time world champion as a pro, Froch won a bronze medal at the 2001 World Amateur Boxing Championships when competing at middleweight.
Why would he compete at the Olympics?
Obviously this is a bit of a pie-in-the-sky suggestion, but could competing for Great Britain at the Games be the kind of offer Froch would seriously consider?
He is still in excellent physical shape, so the shortened bouts shouldn't be a problem. He could also get the chance to work again with trainer Robert McCracken, who was in charge of the 2012 GB squad.
A Froch return for the Olympics is not going to happen. But, for the purposes of this slideshow, we can briefly dare to dream.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Tyson Fury
4 of 5
Tyson Fury is still waiting to find out just when, or even if, he will face Wladimir Klitschko in a rematch.
The British heavyweight claimed the IBF (which has since been stripped away from him), WBA and WBO titles by beating Ukrainian Klitschko on points in Dusseldorf, Germany, in Nov. 2015.
Per David Anderson of the Mirror, the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England, is emerging as a favourite to stage the pair's second bout, possibly on June 4.
Before he turned pro, Fury (25-0, 18 KOs) lost out to David Price in the battle to represent Great Britain in the super heavyweight division at the 2008 Olympics.
It seems, however, that the chance to strike gold at the Games still appeals to the 27-year-old.
He told iFL TV (h/t Boxingnewsandviews.com): "The only thing I didn’t win is was an Olympic Gold medal. So I’m just deciding on a country that I want to go for in the Olympic Games."
Why would he compete at the Olympics?
Tyson Fury. At the Olympics. The mind boggles—Brazil, brace yourselves.
The big man could make a big splash in the top division in Rio. He showed his ability to hit and not get hit during his win over Klitschko, who was bamboozled by Fury's head movement.
Amir Khan
5 of 5
Amir Khan shot to fame in the 2004 Olympics, when he was the only member of Britain's boxing team.
At the age of 17, the fighter from Bolton, England, made it all the way to the lightweight final. He had to settle for the silver medal, however, as he lost to Cuban Mario Kindelan.
Khan would avenge the loss the following year, beating Kindelan in what would be the Englishman's final amateur fight.
But as a professional, the 29-year-old (31-3, 19 KOs) has rather flattered to deceive.
He is a two-time world champion, yet his career has included three disappointing defeats. There were the knockouts suffered against Breidis Prescott and Danny Garcia, as well as a points loss to Lamont Peterson.
After pursuing both Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao without success, Khan has taken on the challenge of moving up to fight WBC middleweight champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez next.
Why would he compete at the Olympics?
Khan faces Canelo on May 7. A defeat would leave him with a decision over what to do next. As the Olympics don't take place until August 2016, he'd have plenty of time to prepare for a run at a medal.
What could really tempt the Englishman is the chance to get the gold medal he missed out on 12 years ago.
His lightning-fast hands make him perfect for scoring points in the Olympic format.
Who would you like to see competing in the Olympics? Bleacher Report welcomes your views, so please share them via the comments section.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
