Marco Verde, the 22-year-old Mexican boxing sensation and silver medalist at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, is at a pivotal moment in his career. With his accomplishments echoing across the boxing world, Verde now faces a critical decision: Should he continue as an amateur and aim for the next Olympic Games, or turn professional and chase even greater glory in the pro ranks?
In a recent interview with TUDN, Verde opened up about the factors influencing his next move. The possible exclusion of boxing from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics looms large over his decision. The uncertainty surrounding Olympic boxing is forcing Verde, and other aspiring Olympians, to rethink their futures.
The Impact of Olympic Boxing’s Uncertain Future
Boxing has been a staple of the Olympic Games for over a century, but recent discussions about its potential removal from the Los Angeles 2028 program have raised eyebrows. For Verde, who recently made history by becoming the first Mexican to win an Olympic boxing silver medal in 40 years, the sport’s Olympic future is a major concern.
Verde expressed that if boxing is excluded from the 2028 Games, it could significantly influence his decision to stay amateur or make the leap to professional boxing. He said, “The medal I won is just the beginning of a new chapter, whether that means staying amateur or going pro. It’s a clean slate.”
A Decision By Year’s End
Though many of his fans are eager to know which path Verde will choose, the boxer is taking his time. He revealed that a final decision will be made before the end of 2024. “For those of us dreaming of winning a medal at the next Olympics, the situation is complicated,” Verde said. “By the end of the year, everyone will know my decision.”
The timeline might feel long, but Verde emphasized that the months are flying by, and his decision will be shaped by the future of boxing at the Olympic level.
Balancing Boxing and Education
While his boxing career has skyrocketed, Marco Verde is also focused on his education. The athlete is pursuing a degree in nutrition, but his intense training schedule has made it difficult to devote as much time to his studies as he would like. “One of my goals is to finish my degree in nutrition,” Verde shared. “But my boxing career hasn’t allowed me to fully focus on it.”
Juggling academic aspirations and a high-level sports career is a challenge many elite athletes face, and Verde’s determination to finish his degree while continuing to box reflects his ambition and discipline both in and outside the ring.
Dipping His Toes Into the Pro World
Marco Verde has already experienced glimpses of professional boxing, not as a fighter, but as a commentator. He recently worked as a commentator for TUDN during the highly anticipated fight between Canelo Alvarez and Edgar Berlanga. The experience left a lasting impression on Verde.
“Being there in that atmosphere was different,” Verde remarked. “The energy is something else, and in the professional world, it becomes more about business, while amateur boxing is about the love for the sport.”
This exposure to the professional boxing world has undoubtedly added weight to Verde’s decision-making process. While his amateur career has been defined by national pride and Olympic dreams, professional boxing offers new opportunities and a different type of challenge.
The Stakes for Olympic Boxing
Marco Verde’s decision doesn’t just affect his career; it could have far-reaching implications for Mexican boxing and the broader Olympic boxing community. His transition to the professional ranks would be a huge loss for Mexico’s amateur boxing program, especially at a time when the sport’s inclusion in future Olympics is under threat.
Verde’s Olympic success has already reinvigorated the sport in Mexico. He became the first Mexican boxer in 40 years to win an Olympic silver medal, a feat that has drawn comparisons to the late Hector Lopez, who took silver at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Verde’s achievement also rekindles memories of Mexico’s golden era in Olympic boxing, when fighters like Ricardo Delgado and Antonio Roldán won gold in 1968.
As the boxing world waits to see whether the sport will remain an Olympic staple, Verde’s decision could mark a turning point for amateur boxing in Mexico. If he chooses to go pro, it may inspire other young Mexican fighters to pursue professional careers earlier in their journeys, especially with Olympic boxing’s uncertain future.
What’s Next for Marco Verde?
While the world eagerly awaits Marco Verde’s announcement, one thing is certain: his future is bright, no matter the path he chooses. Verde’s journey from Pan American Games champion to Olympic silver medalist has already cemented his status as a rising star in the boxing world.
For now, Verde remains focused on his short- and medium-term goals, including completing his degree and continuing to hone his craft in the ring. As 2024 draws to a close, fans can expect an answer about his professional ambitions soon, and whether he’ll continue fighting for Olympic glory or step into the bright lights of professional boxing.
Stay tuned as Marco Verde’s story continues to unfold—whatever his decision, his name will remain etched in the history of Mexican boxing.
