Coronavirus and Boxing: Proposals include masks, no spitting and no fans
Posted: 06 May 2020, 03:45
By Luke Reddy
BBC Sport boxing reporter
Boxers on British fight shows will wear protective masks during ring walks and will be banned from using a spit bucket between rounds under proposed rules for events.
The sport is gearing up for a behind-closed-doors return in the UK in July, after being shutdown in most countries across the world as a result of the coronavrius pandemic.
Referees and trainers in the fighters' corners must wear protective masks throughout the event and the proposals include thorough testing of all those involved.
In a five-page consultation document sent to UK promoters and seen by BBC Sport - the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) says a July restart will initially see events contain no more than five bouts and no "championship contests".
The document sets out proposed rules which include:
Fight shows to begin without any fans
Boxers, referees and trainers will be transported to the venue wearing personal protective masks
A fighter may remove their protective mask when inside the ring - but referees and teams in the corner must keep theirs on
Boxers may not spit in their respective corners
No ring announcers, ring girls or TV cameras inside the ring
All proposed venues must be reviewed by the BBBofC and "cleaned to a medical standard" before the event
Only "essential" officials, promoters and broadcasters can attend
Individuals in high-risk categories such as pregnant women, those "seriously overweight" or people with diabetes should not attend
Everyone at an event must be tested for Covid-19
All boxers, trainers and referees must be tested for Covid-19 48 hours before fight night and self-isolate at a hotel until their test result is known
Promoter Eddie Hearn said the proposals provided "huge barriers to overcome", while another industry insider described the document as "farcical".
The BBBofC said the measures were within government guidance and, in stressing the rules outlined were "not final", said the views of promoters would be considered.
Who is due to fight in July?
The next major fights scheduled in Britain in July are:
4 July: Manchester Arena - Dillian Whyte v Alexander Povetkin (WBC interim heavyweight title), Katie Taylor v Amanda Serrano (WBC, IBF, WBO and WBA lightweight titles); Callum Johnson v Igor Mikhalkin (vacant European light-heavyweight title)
11 July: O2 Arena, London - Daniel Dubois v Joe Joyce (British & Commonwealth heavyweight titles); Anthony Yarde v Lyndon Arthur (light-heavyweight)
There are also several postponed fights that need new dates, including Anthony Joshua's world heavyweight title defence against Kubrat Pulev - originally due to be held at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
BBC Sport boxing reporter
Boxers on British fight shows will wear protective masks during ring walks and will be banned from using a spit bucket between rounds under proposed rules for events.
The sport is gearing up for a behind-closed-doors return in the UK in July, after being shutdown in most countries across the world as a result of the coronavrius pandemic.
Referees and trainers in the fighters' corners must wear protective masks throughout the event and the proposals include thorough testing of all those involved.
In a five-page consultation document sent to UK promoters and seen by BBC Sport - the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) says a July restart will initially see events contain no more than five bouts and no "championship contests".
The document sets out proposed rules which include:
Fight shows to begin without any fans Boxers, referees and trainers will be transported to the venue wearing personal protective masks A fighter may remove their protective mask when inside the ring - but referees and teams in the corner must keep theirs on Boxers may not spit in their respective corners No ring announcers, ring girls or TV cameras inside the ring All proposed venues must be reviewed by the BBBofC and "cleaned to a medical standard" before the event Only "essential" officials, promoters and broadcasters can attend Individuals in high-risk categories such as pregnant women, those "seriously overweight" or people with diabetes should not attendEveryone at an event must be tested for Covid-19All boxers, trainers and referees must be tested for Covid-19 48 hours before fight night and self-isolate at a hotel until their test result is knownPromoter Eddie Hearn said the proposals provided "huge barriers to overcome", while another industry insider described the document as "farcical".
The BBBofC said the measures were within government guidance and, in stressing the rules outlined were "not final", said the views of promoters would be considered.
Who is due to fight in July?
The next major fights scheduled in Britain in July are:
4 July: Manchester Arena - Dillian Whyte v Alexander Povetkin (WBC interim heavyweight title), Katie Taylor v Amanda Serrano (WBC, IBF, WBO and WBA lightweight titles); Callum Johnson v Igor Mikhalkin (vacant European light-heavyweight title)
11 July: O2 Arena, London - Daniel Dubois v Joe Joyce (British & Commonwealth heavyweight titles); Anthony Yarde v Lyndon Arthur (light-heavyweight)
There are also several postponed fights that need new dates, including Anthony Joshua's world heavyweight title defence against Kubrat Pulev - originally due to be held at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
