The biggest promoters in boxing must bury rivalries and work together to ensure fans are not financially hit when the sport squeezes a barrage of shows into the second half of 2020, says 5 Live’s boxing experts.
The fight business has ground to a halt across the world in the face of the coronavirus pandemic and boxing is suspended in the UK until at least the end of May.
But a note of warning from British boxing chiefs last week pointed to the sport perhaps not being able to start back up as swiftly as some may hope given its reliance on the emergency services at a time where the NHS is under immense pressure.
So why might an eventual resumption hit fans in the pocket? And why might music acts even have an impact on when and where boxing can take place? BBC Sport boxing correspondent Mike Costello and 5 Live analyst Steve Bunce have had their say.
The British Boxing Board of Control last week stressed that while the NHS is “fighting” and “recovering from” the coronavirus pandemic “we cannot place any further pressure on the system”.
General secretary Robert Smith went further by stressing that “professional boxing cannot happen until normal NHS services resume”.
“NHS staff will have come through one of the biggest challenges faced by the NHS, in its history,” Smith wrote. “All involved will be physically and mentally fatigued. They will justifiably want to take rest and recuperation time. Therefore, due consideration has to be given to the medical personnel before any appointments to tournaments can take place.”
Smith’s words went further than many others have up to this point in intimating that boxing may not be able to roll out shows – even behind closed doors – as soon as restrictions on movement and mass gatherings are lifted.
In addition to the need for multiple ambulances at fight venues, rules state hospitals with specialist neurosurgery units must be close by.
Speaking on the 5 Live Boxing podcast, Costello said: “It might be that boxing takes longer to get going again than other sports because of the reliance on medical support. What struck me was the last statement by the board on recognising how NHS staff would need time to rest and recuperate.”
Bunce replied: “The idea that things get lifted in May and we could have a fight the next day is woefully misguided. One thing that is also being overlooked is that these boxers will need a good bit of time to get back fit and spar. Even if things were lifted in May you’d be looking at mid July at the earliest. I agree completely with the board.”
Source:Â bbc.com