Coronavirus and its impact on boxing

[chad]

With all sports events cancelled in Italy and football fixtures in Spain and France now being played behind closed doors it seems like a matter of time before similar measures come to the UK.

Dubious is supposed to be facing Joyce on BT Box Office. If sports events are supposed to take place behind closed doors by that point should it go ahead as planned with no fans in attendance or should it be cancelled? Perversely it could still be a success on PPV. It would become somewhat of a curious freakshow and the only way to witness it is from the comfort of your own home.

Realistically I'd expect it to be cancelled but the thought of such a big domestic fight taking place in a dark quiet area is spooky

[3132DW]

Could they afford for it to go ahead with 10000 ticket sales missing ? Huge amount of revenue gone.

[olij999]

Very interesting post by the OP. Was making me think about fights that have gone on in empty venues or in silence even with people in the venues. In terms of empty venues, you do occasionally get major cards where the first four-rounder starts before the doors have opened, so that could be one. Old sporting clubs, even into the 1970s and 1980s would demand silence from the audience while watching the contest (apparently was a tradition from when the referee used to be outside the ring, so that the fighters could hear his commands). And there have very occasionally been title fights in TV studios (in Thailand, for example, I think) where there was not much of an audience.

[chad]

Eddie Hearn has his say on coronavirus effecting up coming shows

https://www.skysports.com/amp/boxing/ne ... ddie-hearn

[Nightmare Roy]

Eddie Hearn has his say on coronavirus effecting up coming shows

https://www.skysports.com/amp/boxing/ne ... ddie-hearn

It wouldn’t be viable without the live gate money

[HeavyHitters]

With all sports events cancelled in Italy and football fixtures in Spain and France now being played behind closed doors it seems like a matter of time before similar measures come to the UK.

Dubious is supposed to be facing Joyce on BT Box Office. If sports events are supposed to take place behind closed doors by that point should it go ahead as planned with no fans in attendance or should it be cancelled? Perversely it could still be a success on PPV. It would become somewhat of a curious freakshow and the only way to witness it is from the comfort of your own home.

Realistically I'd expect it to be cancelled but the thought of such a big domestic fight taking place in a dark quiet area is spooky

Dubious Dubois. ha ha

[gregregegg]

I think we will lose some big shows, won't be a great year in boxing. It's been a slow start lining up a huge mid year, but it dosent seem unlikely to miss a big chunk of the rest of the year.
1 month out from DDD vs Joyce (and kahbib Ferg) those shows are in real trouble I predict.
May and June fights IV almost given up on, unless corona virus realy hates summer.

[Finkel]

It's being reported that Japan is examining contingency plans for Tokyo 2020, including delaying it by 2 years.

[cormack]

inevitable that there will be fights cancelled in europe soon , given the situation and the risk of a virus spreading around indoor arena`s .

[bigjack]

it's impacting already for me,I would have bought tickets for Whyte v Povetkin but won't now.

[Betro09]

All major match-ups have a big chance to be cancelled at this moment, if it continues to grow like this.

[watsupdoc87]

I believe Germany has banned all sports events with over 1000 People. An Irish lad was supposed to be fighting in Germany but the cards been cancelled

[jlh]

it's impacting already for me,I would have bought tickets for Whyte v Povetkin but won't now.

Bought them other week. Wish I hadn't, good chance of it being cancelled.

[3132DW]

It's being reported that Japan is examining contingency plans for Tokyo 2020, including delaying it by 2 years.

That will cripple the Japanese economy - as they budgeted billions at 2020 - I’ve been involved in set up of equipment going to/from and the contracts run until when the event is completed. So all that high value equipment sitting running up millions in costs is horrific from financial perspective never mind the health issues.

This will finish a lot of companies/Business all over the World.

[AntonioMartin]

The NBA cancelled all their games today for the foreseeable season. I came here wondering about boxing...seems to me quite sensible that all televised bouts be held without fans, and to cancel the rest downright for the time being..but some promoters only care about their cash...

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

In a document sent to promoters, managers and event organizers, which was obtained by World Boxing News, the BBBofC stated they are, ‘monitoring the situation regarding the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak closely’ as fears grow over the disease.

An Italian country-wide lockdown has already led to a pair of Matchroom Italy shows being called off. Similar could now happen all over the world.

The Board admitted this could happen soon, by saying there are, ‘no recommendations to cancel events, however, this may change’ in the statement.

Another possible problem is the fact all nurses and doctors will be required to work longer hours and will not be made available for boxing events.

‘Due to the fact that medical officers have obvious obligations to their health authorities, it will become difficult to appoint medical officers for any show,’ confirmed the BBBofC.

For now, it’s full steam ahead as Matchroom, Top Rank and others plow on with press conference plans for this week. Although the UK boxing authorities are watching how things develop.

‘We will await any recommendations or restrictions in relation to all sporting events in the UK,’ they concluded.

As mentioned, it’s not only the UK facing these roadblocks. Las Vegas and New York are the latest US States to confirm cases.

[Nondescript]

Could they afford for it to go ahead with 10000 ticket sales missing ? Huge amount of revenue gone.

Would people get a refund or would it be deemed an act of god and non-refundable?

[tony1234]

No sporting events off for now but we seem to be the only country carrying on with them

[3132DW]

Could they afford for it to go ahead with 10000 ticket sales missing ? Huge amount of revenue gone.

Would people get a refund or would it be deemed an act of god and non-refundable?

Needs to be refunded - event didn’t take place.

Would BT/Warren go ahead with PPV in empty arena and would that cover the costs ?

Top Ranks 2 shows in NY both behind closed doors....Conlan - St Paddies day included.

[KiwiRider]

Remember when yer mum took you around to play with a bunch of kids you didn't know, who all had funny spots on them?

[rd350lc]

Can't imagine arenas with no crowd there , will be a really odd atmosphere .
After the really shite winter we've had with the floods and storms ,this is all the country needs .
I'm depressed to fook.

[3132DW]

Can't imagine arenas with no crowd there , will be a really odd atmosphere .
After the really shite winter we've had with the floods and storms ,this is all the country needs .
I'm depressed to fook.

It’s more there is no Antidote.....even if they got one soon it could take to Xmas to mass produce - it’s not going away anytime soon.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Can't imagine arenas with no crowd there , will be a really odd atmosphere .
After the really shite winter we've had with the floods and storms ,this is all the country needs .
I'm depressed to fook.

It’ll be like them early fights on a card were all you can here is the trainers shouting instructions. I guess we’ll have commentary too.

[KiwiRider]

Can't imagine arenas with no crowd there , will be a really odd atmosphere .
After the really shite winter we've had with the floods and storms ,this is all the country needs .
I'm depressed to fook.

It’ll be like them early fights on a card were all you can here is the trainers shouting instructions. I guess we’ll have commentary too.

Or... We could just pretend that every fight is coming from Saudi Arabia