PROMOTER Bob Arum says boxing will return on June 9 to Las Vegas with a blockbuster five-fight card at the MGM Grand Hotel.
Major world title fights and events have been axed amid the coronavirus pandemic, but Arum is putting plans in place to come back with a bang.
Bob Arum says boxing will return on June 9 to Las Vegas with a blockbuster five-fight card at MGM Grand Hotel
The Top Rank boss wants to stage two shows weekly at the MGM Grand in June and July
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The Top Rank boss wants to stage two shows weekly at the MGM Grand in June and July, but awaits the approval of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, who have so far banned combat sports.
UFC president Dana White – who has staged three shows in Florida during this crisis – will also meet with the commission as he hopes to put shows on at their Apex Center.
Arum revealed no fans will be in attendance at his events, and everyone involved will be tested at least twice during fight week for Covid-19 – similar to the UFC’s measures.
The promoter told Associated Press: “Once we get those fights in and UFC gets its initial fights in, both of us will ask for additional dates.
“The key was getting enough testing, and we’ve got plenty of testing in Nevada to hold our events.”
Our protocols will be much more stringent than UFC had in Florida. In ours you wouldn’t have a fighter testing positive the day of the fight or the day before.
Bob Arum on planned coronavirus testing
Arum only named IBF featherweight champion Shakur Stevenson as a possible fighter to compete next month, but overseas boxers will not be able to compete due to travel restrictions.
He said: “These will be the same guys we were going to have before to the extent possible.
“Guys like Shakur Stevenson and others who would have been fighting on our cards.”
Arum already confirmed the trilogy bout between WBC champion Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder will likely take place outside of the US and UK, in a venue allowing fans to attend.
The legendary promoter had been critical of White for attempting to stage UFC 249 during the virus outbreak.
But he insisted their testing protocols will be better than the UFC’s, who had just one fighter, Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza, test positive for Covid-19 during fight week.
Arum said: “Our protocols will be much more stringent than UFC had in Florida.
“In ours you wouldn’t have a fighter testing positive the day of the fight or the day before.”
The UFC have staged three events behind closed doors at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in JacksonvilleCredit: Getty
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
