Picking Pro Fighters to Represent Great Britain at the 2016 Olympics
The announcement that professionals will be allowed to fight at the 2016 Olympics has divided opinion in the sport of boxing.
In changing their rules, the International Boxing Association (AIBA) has opened the door for those in the paid ranks to take on amateurs in the pursuit of a gold medal this summer.
The pros (no pun intended) and cons of the decision will be argued right up until the opening ceremony gets underway in Rio, Brazil.
The World Boxing Council (WBC) has revealed that any of their champions, or even a fighter ranked in their top 15, who competes at the Olympics will be given a two-year ban from the organisation.
However, the idea of seeing professionals compete at the Games at least creates an interesting topic of conversation.
Here, Bleacher Report has picked a Great Britain squad. We've selected one fighter for each weight category (bar light flyweight, due to the weight restrictions).
The idea was to pick individuals who would suit the Olympic format and have a chance of claiming a medal.
Please note: This is not to suggest anyone named in this fake squad is checking their passport ahead of a trip to Brazil. This is simply a bit of fun, plus a chance for you to debate the candidates.
Flyweight: Andrew Selby
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Andrew Selby is, admittedly, a rather obvious choice at flyweight.
The Welshman was a two-time European champion during an amateur career that included representing Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics.
Four years ago, at the London Games, Selby lost to eventual gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez Carranza from Cuba in the quarter-finals.
Selby could have stayed with Team GB to compete at Rio, but he instead opted to turn pro in 2015.
He has quickly compiled a 5-0 record and is the reigning British champion at 112 pounds. But, what if he could have another crack at claiming gold? Tempting offer, right?
Other contenders: Charlie Edwards, Khalid Yafai.
Bantamweight: Kid Galahad
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Kid Galahad—who was born in Qatar but raised in Sheffield, England—is an awkward, clever fighter who could definitely prosper in an Olympic tournament.
The former British and Commonwealth super bantamweight champion—who trains at the famous Ingle Gym in his hometown—has fast hands and quick feet.
Considering the idea in amateur boxing is to win rounds rather than force stoppages, Galahad could sparkle during the shorter bouts.
As a pro, Galahad has a 19-0 (10 KOs) record. He has recently returned to action after serving a suspension for a failed drugs test, according to Boxing News.
Other contenders: Gavin and Jamie McDonnell, Gamal Yafai.
Lightweight: Luke Campbell
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The British lightweight scene is thriving right now.
Anthony Crolla and Terry Flanagan both hold world titles at 135 pounds—and both would be able to translate their pro styles to the Olympic format, too.
However, seen as Britain has an Olympic champion in the division, it makes sense to pick Luke Campbell instead.
Campbell actually won gold at bantamweight in 2012, but he could easily cope with going from 56 to 60 kg.
The southpaw's perfect record in the paid ranks disappeared last year when he lost to Yvan Mendy. But he bounced back from the defeat by stopping Gary Sykes to become Commonwealth champion in March.
Other contenders: Ricky Burns, Crolla and Flanagan.
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Light Welterweight: Tyrone Nurse
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Tyrone Nurse is the reigning British super lightweight champion. In fact, if he defends his crown one more time, he gets a Lonsdale belt for keeps.
At 5′11″, Nurse is a tall, tricky boxer who would be happy fighting at light welterweight in the Olympics.
He's also had a bit of experience at fighting in shorter bouts.
Nurse was a losing finalist in a Prizefighter event in 2012. The tournament saw eight competitors involved in a knockout-style draw, with all fights lasting three rounds.
Other contenders: Ricky Burns, Jack Catterall.
Welterweight: Liam Smith
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The welterweight category is a tricky one. The Olympic weight limit is 69kg (just over 152 pounds).
That means professional welterweights (where the division cuts at 147 pounds) would have the chance to breathe a little easier (perhaps just breathe out) when it comes to stepping on the scales.
Kell Brook is a world champion at welter. Amir Khan could have been considered too, except he's hinted at representing Pakistan at the 2016 Games, per Rory O'Callaghan of Sky Sports.
Instead, the place went to Liam Smith, the current WBO champion at super welterweight.
Beefy has an all-action style that would suit the Olympic format. His desire to attack an opponent's body would surely catch the eye of the judges.
Other contenders: Brook, Bradley Skeete and Liam Williams.
Middleweight: James DeGale
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Who else could it be at middleweight other than James DeGale?
Chunky created boxing history when he became the first British fighter to win both an Olympic gold medal as an amateur and then a world title as a pro.
The Londoner was triumphant as a middleweight in the 2008 Games in Beijing, China. It seems only right to send him back eight years later to try and repeat the trick, albeit this time in Brazil.
DeGale—the reigning IBF super middleweight champion—is a silky southpaw with fast hands and plenty of confidence.
Other contenders: Chris Eubank Jr., George Groves, Anthony Ogogo, Billy Joe Saunders.
Light Heavyweight: Callum Smith
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Callum Smith is simply too exciting to leave off this made-up Team GB.
While he competes at super middleweight as a pro, Mundo could easily step up to light heavy (where the limit is just under 179 pounds) for a crack at Olympic glory.
The Liverpudlian stands at 6'3" and hits hard. Very hard.
Smith has won 15 of his 20 fights inside the distance as a professional, including winning both the British and European titles inside a round.
With the Amateur International Boxing Association deciding to eliminate headgear at the Games, Smith would fancy his chances of winning at least once inside the distance in Rio.
Other contenders: Bob Ajisafe, Nathan Cleverly.
Heavyweight: Tony Bellew
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The heavyweight division in the amateurs is an ideal category for the professional cruiserweights.
Britain has a newly crowned world champion at that weight—Tony Bellew sensationally knocked out Ilunga Makabu on May 29 to claim the vacant WBC belt.
Without disparaging Bellew's abilities, he's possibly the only serious option to compete at the 91kg-limit.
David Haye would have been an excellent choice earlier in his career, but The Hayemaker would seriously struggle to get back down to 200 pounds again.
Other contenders: Isaac Chamberlain, Enzo Maccarinelli.
Super Heavyweight: Tyson Fury
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Tyson Fury at the Olympics—who doesn't want to see that happen?!
The 27-year-old—who is 25-0 (18 KOs) as a pro—actually missed out on competing for Great Britain at the 2008 Games after David Price was selected in front of him.
But the 6'9" heavyweight displayed his smart boxing brain against Wladimir Klitschko in 2015. He nullified his rival with clever head movement, while also impressing the judges with his probing jab.
Fury could do just the same in Rio and end up coming away with the gold.
Even if he didn't go all the way, he'd certainly liven things up in the Olympic Village.
Anthony Joshua just so happens to be the reigning Olympic champion at super heavyweight, but misses out to Fury. Sadly, this team isn't big enough for the both of them.
Other contenders: David Haye, Joshua, Price.
Who would you like to see competing at the 2016 Olympics? Bleacher Report welcomes your suggestions—just post them in the comments section.
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