The World Boxing Association (WBA) reiterated its support for Mexican professional boxers who wish to participate in the qualifiers for the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Through a letter, the president of the WBA, Gilberto Jesús Mendoza, wished luck to those who decide to look for their passage to Tokyo 2020.
“On behalf of the great family of the World Boxing Association, a pioneer in governing pugilism and which I am honored to preside over, I want to express our full support to all professional boxers in Mexico who wish to participate in the qualifying tournament for the next Olympic Games,” Mendoza said.
Anabel “Avispa” Ortiz, WBA champion at minimumweight and based in Medellin, Colombia, is one of the professional boxers in the country who is emerging to compete in the qualifiers that will take place from January 20 to 25 in Guadalajara, Jalisco.
The WBA’s position was also supported by the World Boxing Organization (WBO), which will also allow its champions to participate in qualifiers or in the games itself.
This position, on the other hand, has not been accepted by the World Boxing Council (WBC), which has said that it is dangerous for amateur and professional fighters to face each other. The WBC informed that it will issue a two year ban to all professional boxers who decide to participate in the Olympic qualifiers or any other tournament that gives them a possible qualification to the Tokyo Olympics.
The winners of this upcoming tournament will enter a final home run, from where the Mexican representative will compete in the mainland qualifier for Tokyo 2020.
“At the WBA we will continue to open the doors to all the boxers who are part of these qualifiers, as well as to those who qualify and participate in Tokyo 2020, and we wish them the greatest success in their new challenges,” Mendoza said.