We knew it was coming, boxing fought on a week after the Football Association cancelled all games and up and down the country while boxing shows went ahead as normal but today the BBBofC announced that all boxing is cancelled or postponed until April, when they will consider the matter.
The boards message on their website read: CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) 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.
When the government announced people should avoid mass gatherings yesterday, it was inevitable the British boxing powers that be would have to act fast and follow suite as so many other sports bodies have done around the world.
Today SkySports head of boxing Adam Smith spoke to Sky News about the cancellation and the impact it will have on boxing and the fighters.
The Golden Contract boxing tournament, which was scheduled for Friday, has been postponed.
Hennessy Sports has today postponed for the foreseeable future its forthcoming events following a directive from the British Boxing Board of Control that all tournaments under its jurisdiction are cancelled after the announcement by the Prime Minister yesterday on the Coronavirus (Covid-19).
The two scheduled events affected are:
Saturday 28th March at the Coventry Skydome headlined by Shakan Pitters versus Chad Sugden for the British Light-Heavyweight Championship
Saturday 25th April at the National Sports Centre, Crystal Palace, headline by Samir Ziani versus Alex Dilmaghani for the European Super-Featherweight Championship
Promoter Mick Hennessy will reschedule the events at the safest and earliest opportunity subject to the BBBofC, government and medical advice and conditions at the time.
Hennessy said, “The outbreak of Covid-19 is an unprecedented situation affecting everyone around the world. Above all, the health and welfare of the boxers, staff, event contractors and fans is our priority and we have taken this action following direction from the BBBofC and the government,”
“We are closely liaising with the Board, our broadcaster, managers, boxers and sponsors to reschedule both events when it is safe to do so.”
Full ticket refunds are available for both events. To obtain a refund, please refer to your original point of purchase.
Matchroom Boxing Update
Following advice from the Government and the BBBofC relating to COVID-19, Matchroom Boxing have postponed all events scheduled to be taking place in March and April, including David Avanesyan vs. Josh Kelly at The O2 in London on March 28, Lewis Ritson vs. Miguel Vasquez at the Utilita Arena Newcastle on April 4 and Terri Harper vs. Natasha Jonas at the Doncaster Dome on April 24.
Fights scheduled to take place on the Avanesyan vs. Kelly show will be merged into future cards, with ticket refunds for March 28 available at the original point of purchase. Ritson’s clash with Vasquez has been rescheduled to Saturday June 27th, while Harper’s all-British World Title showdown with Jonas has also been rescheduled to June, with a date to be confirmed shortly. Tickets will be valid for these rescheduled dates or refunds will be available from your point of purchase. Further events may also be subject to change.
The health and safety of the boxers, staff, event contractors and fans involved with our events is the top priority for Matchroom Boxing and we thank everyone for their understanding. We look forward to bringing world class boxing events back to these shores as soon as it is safe to do so.
Our thoughts are with everybody affected by the COVID-19 outbreak at this difficult time #COVID19 #Coronavirus
ContenderVIP Show Postponed
You will be well aware of the current situation with COVID-19 and the impact it is having on everything, especially the events industry. Because we are so committed to Contender VIP, the boxers and our supporters we have been keen to stick to the event date of April 4th and make it happen.
However, given the size of the event, it is now very likely that the event will be forcibly cancelled very soon. In equal measures, we have a responsibility to our guests, suppliers and boxers to consider their safety.
We have therefore taken the decision proactively as of today to postpone the event. We are looking at available dates to reschedule later in the year and will be in touch with further information as soon as we have it.
Thank you in advance for your understanding, this was a difficult decision but one which has now become unavoidable.
Contender VIP.
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