Pro boxers N’Dam, Ruenroeng qualify for Rio despite losses

File-This March 7, 2015, file photo shows China’s double Olympic gold medalist Zou Shiming, right, and Thailand’s Amnat Ruenroeng exchanging punches during their IBF flyweight title belt boxing match at the Venetian Macao in Macau. Ruenroeng and Cameroon’s Hassan N’Dam are the most prominent professional boxers trying to take advantage of the International Boxing Association’s decision to allow pros to compete for Olympic spots. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)

VARGAS, Venezuela — Professional boxers Amnat Ruenroeng of Thailand and Hassan N’Dam of Cameroon have won spots at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics despite losing in the final qualifying tournament in Venezuela.

Ruenroeng and N’Dam both advanced far enough in the tournament to qualify for Rio even with losses in Friday’s bouts.

They are the only prominent boxers who took advantage of AIBA’s controversial decision to allow pros to compete for spots in Rio.

The 36-year-old Ruenroeng was stopped in the second round of his lightweight bout against Mexico’s Lindolfo Delgado. Ruenroeng also fought at the Beijing Games.

N’Dam lost a unanimous decision to Colombia’s Juan Carlos Carrillo, 24, who knocked out two previous opponents in Venezuela. The 32-year-old N’Dam competed in the 2004 Athens Olympics.