Boxing’s world governing body has voted in favour of allowing professionals to fight at this summer’s Rio Olympics.

Irieland fighters, including Katie Taylor, could be facing professional fighters in Rio.]KatieTaylorAug9OlympicsD_large.jpg[/timgcap]

World champions could now compete at the Games – providing they go through the qualification process and are selected by their countries.

Amateurs could now compete against more experienced professionals.

84 out of 88 members of the International Boxing Association voted in favour of the rule change.

“This is a momentous occasion for AIBA, for Olympic Boxing, and for our sport as a whole, and represents another great leap forward in the evolution of boxing,” AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu said after the vote.

“This move will ensure the empowerment of National Federations and enhance all future competitions including the Olympic Games. Our mission is to continue to make brave decisions in the best interest of our boxers and for the good for the sport.”

The amendment of Article 13 (J) will immediately allow all National Federations to register all non AIBA professional boxers for the APB/WSB Olympic Qualification Tournament in Vargas, Venezuela on July 3-8 according to the criteria for registration of pro boxers. The competition will offer 26 quota places available for Rio 2016.