Boxing's exclusion from Olympics will cause loss of focus and direction among kids: Roy Jones Jr

Roy Jones Jr feels boxing's exclusion from the Olympics will lead to countries like India losing hope of unearthing "a new star" in the sport as aspiring boxers will no longer have focus and direction. In a major blow, boxing has been left out of the initial list of sports for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, a decision made due to a number of governance issues. One of the most successful boxers of his generation, Jones wrote an open letter to the International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and the IOC Executive Committee, urging them to reconsider the decision regarding boxing's exclusion earlier this month.

In his letter, the 1988 Olympic silver medallist suggested that leaving out boxing from the sporting extravaganza would be similar to "committing a crime". "So many kids will lose hope, focus and direction. Look how many boxing superstars the Olympics had produced," Jones told PTI in an email interview.

Boxing is one of the most popular Olympic sports in India and the likes of six-time world champion MC Mary Kom, Beijing Games bronze medallist Vijender Singh and Amit Panghal have taken India to great heights. "It gives boxers and countries the hope of having a new boxing star. With no boxing in the Olympics, where will that hope come from?" the 53-year-old said when asked how the absence of boxing from the Olympics will affect India.