BRITISH boxing has finally been KO’d by the coronavirus.
Without a global governing body, boxing has been able to set its own agenda and outlasted most other mainstream sports that COVID-19 kyboshed.
Dubois vs Joyce Battle of Britain is in doubt as the BBBoC cancels all boxing due to coronavirus and won’t review until AprilCredit: Richard Pelham
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And with the potential of a lack of medical members the BBBofC has prevented any shows from taking place until they review the situation next month.
There were dozens of small-hall and televised shows planned for the next 12 weeks but the British Boxing Board of Control has stepped in to halt the schedule until April, after Boris Johnson’s speech on Monday evening.
A statement from BBBofC secretary Robert Smith said: “With regard to the above and the statement made by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson, all public tournaments under the jurisdiction of the British Boxing Board of Control are unfortunately cancelled.
“Further consideration of the matter will take place at the beginning of April.”
Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn, who had an O2 show planned for March 28, is open to the idea of holding some of his smaller events behind closed doors to keep fighters and broadcasters happy.
But he has ruled out heavyweight stars Dillian Whyte (May 2), Derek Chisora (May 23) and Anthony Joshua (June 20) staging their fights without fans.
Matchroom released a statement revealing they have thrown in the white town on all fights taking place in March and April.
David Avanesyan’s scrap with Josh Kelly on March 28, Lewis Ritson vs Miguel Vazquez on April 4 and Terri Harper’s fight with Natasha Jones on April 24 have all been canned.
Refunds have been issued for Kelly’s fight while Ritson’s scrap has been rescheduled to June 27.
Frank Warren, who has a huge fight between Daniel Dubois and Joe Joyce planned for April 11, will now be hoping the pandemic is handled quickly enough to allow his BT Sport PPV to take place.
The BBBofC have been extremely diligent with their handling of the sport in the UK, allowing last weekend’s nationwide action to go ahead after extensive talks with the government.
On March 13 they said: “The Government and Health Authorities have decided that all public events presently planned are free to go ahead.
“The Head Office of the Board has been in contact with the Government and Health Authorities and due to the advice given all tournaments this weekend will be able to take place.
“Head Office will be in further contact with the authorities next week and from then on adhere to the decisions made by the Government for all public events going forward.”
But the Prime Minister’s address regarding unnecessary travel and gatherings has forced the BBBofC to act in the best interests of their fighters and the fans.
Eddie Hearn could lose around £250,000 of personal fortune if coronavirus hits his boxing schedule
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
