BRITISH boxing will return on a small scale, behind-closed-doors basis in July as long as the Government gives the green light.
The British Boxing Board of Control have blocked all bouts until June and insisted they will need around a month to prepare once the lockdown rules are relaxed or lifted.
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Promoter Eddie Hearn hopes big names like Anthony Joshua can be back in action within two monthsCredit: Reuters
But Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn hopes to see a change in the protocol as early as next week, that will kickstart the return of the sport.
Hearn said: “Initially everyone wanted to rush back but now we understand the timing has to be right.
“There are so many things to consider, not just the safety of the fighters but that of the NHS too, as we would need to take doctors away from working for the country with ill people suffering from COVID-19.
“We cannot be putting extra strain on the NHS while all of this is going on.
I think we will see a new format, we feel we should start small and get boxing back on TV and learn from any mistakes we make.
BBBofC general secretary Robert Smith
“We all want boxing back as soon as possible but it is not that easy. To create a behind-closed-doors and sterile environment, to restart the sport, comes with a huge amount of barriers.
“But that is what we do, hopefully some restrictions are lifted next week and we can start to explore the possibilities.
“I am confident we will see the first events back on these shores in July.”
BBBofC general secretary Robert Smith is in daily dialogue with the nation’s decision makers and already has a firm grasp on the crucial medical demands that must be met to allow a bout to happen.
Any TV studio or purpose-built venue will have to be visited and passed fit by the board and be staffed by at least two doctors and an ambulance and coronavirus testing.
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Smith said: “It is likely to be in TV studios or purpose-build venues and they need to be sorted out now, so we have an idea about where we are going to go.
“We have regular communications with the Government and we have an MP on the board but, until the Government explains their position, we are like every other sport and just don’t know.
“I think we will see a new format, we feel we should start small and get boxing back on TV and learn from any mistakes we make.
“Everybody at an event will be tested and it is the timings of those tests that will be interesting.
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“Do we test them 48 hours before they box, get the results 24 hours before and, if they’re positive, pull them out? And do we have back-up boxers to cover them? There are lots of moving pieces.”
Hearn, whose Matchroom family firm also runs major snooker and darts events, fears there are dark days ahead for a number of sports in the UK.
But he believes boxing still has a bright future that will not be dimmed by fights happening without fans.
He said: “We are lucky that boxing had a huge amount of momentum going into this lockdown, other sports didn’t and might fizzle out of existence.
“Every sport is going to be scrapping for airtime, sponsorships and schedules and we have to make sure we come back firing.
“We will come back with smaller shows to start with but we want to stage major shows behind closed doors because it will be groundbreaking.
“I don’t want to be in a dark studio with four dark walls and no atmosphere. We want to create a unique moment and destination for these events and we see it as the ultimate challenge.”
Amir Khan takes face masks, sanitisers and drinks to NHS heroes at Bolton Hospital as boxing legend gives back
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
