BOXING is lining up a major return on June 9 when Shakur Stevenson defends his world featherweight title against Rafael Rivera behind closed doors in Las Vegas.
ESPN will broadcast the first world level boxing event since the coronavirus lockdown began in mid March, with a shortened bill.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
Unbeaten American Shakur Stevenson (right) aims to retain his world crown when boxing makes a big return next monthCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said from next month his company would start holding two events per week from an MGM property in America’s most famous boxing destination.
But asked by The Athletic to confirm the Stevenson vs Rivera showdown as the opening night, he was a touch combative.
The 88-year-old said: “It doesn’t matter what’s first fight or second fight, who the f*** cares?
“We usually do nine-fight cards. Now we’ll cut it down to four or five, probably five a card.
“Doing ten in the course of a week is not usual for us except it won’t be on the same day.”
The first boxing event to fall victim to Covid-19 was Jose Ramirez’s bout with Viktor Postol on February 2.
But that was actually scheduled for China’s Wuhan, the city where the virus is thought to have started.
Fights were only halted on a global scale the following month, with Top Rank ditching Stevenson’s planned defence against Colombian Miguel Marriaga at Madison Square Garden on March 14.
So unbeaten American Stevenson, 22, might think he deserves to be on the launch-pad for boxing’s return next month.
Give now to The Sun’s NHS appeal
BRITAIN’s four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?
The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £1MILLION for NHS workers.
The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.
We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid-19 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.
The Sun is donating £50,000 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM.
No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here
www.thesun.co.uk/whocareswinsappeal
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
