Coronavirus Is Hitting Boxing Hard
The world has witnessed COVID-19 end seasons in basketball, soccer and baseball. Now we are seeing the sport of boxing isn’t immune either. Numerous fights have already been cancelled and future big fights could be in jeopardy.
Earlier it was reported that boxing events were halted by the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC), now it seems that it has touched the US, as well as abroad.
Top Rank has been affected by this twice. Casualty one was unified light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev’s (15-0, 15) bout against Chinese fighter Meng Fanlong (16-0, 10ko). Then the legendary promotional company would later announce that WBO Featherweight champion Shakur Stevenson’s (13-0, 7KO) title defense against former title contender Miguel Marriaga (29-3, 25ko) will proceed without any spectators.
MORE FIGHTS CANCELLED
Golden Boy Promotion has been hit also. Via social media, the promotional company posted a statement cancelling two events due to the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) banning all combat sporting events.
That means that WBA “Gold” titlist Vergil Ortiz Jr.’s (15-0, 15ko) fight against veteran fighter Samuel Vargas (31-5-2, 14ko) is now shelved.
The World Boxing Super Series tournament’s scheduled cruiserweight tournament finals featuring IBF champion Yuniel Dorticos (24-1, 22ko) against WBO champion Mairis Briedis (26-1, 19ko) is also now a wash.
The WBO, on their website, has issued another hard blow to fans. Fights is Puerto Rico are postponed until after May 2020.
However, as it stands right now, Queensbury Promotions head honcho Frank Warren took to social media putting British fans at ease that the huge event between top heavyweight fighters Daniel Dubois vs Joe Joyce will go down as planned.
FUTURE FIGHTS THAT CAN BE AFFECTED
Looking at the future, this could have an immense effect if boxing’s biggest earner Canelo Alvarez’s (53-1-2, 36ko) showdown against WBO Super Middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders (29-0, 14ko) could be in danger also.
Moreover, the heavyweight trilogy between two-time heavyweight champion Tyson “Gypsy King” Fury (30-0-1, 21ko) and former WBC champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (42-1-1, 41ko) isn’t safe, given how things have been changing very rapidly.
Hopefully things will settle down within the next couple of months. However, the sport has taken a huge right-hand and is on wobbly legs.
By: Garrisson Bland
