The U.K. has a plan to resume boxing this summer.
The British Boxing Board of Control has announced a detailed course of action when the coronavirus pandemic allows it to put fighters back into the ring,
“At present there is no date for lockdown to end,” the announcement begins. “Public health and safety is everyone’s top priority and the British Boxing Board of Control is taking Government advice so that we can best advise all our licence (sic) holders as to when professional Boxing in the UK can resume. We recognise (sic) that licence holders will want to prepare for restrictions being lifted and sport resuming.
“It is important to recognise that when professional Boxing promotions can resume there may be restrictions in place.”
Among key points of the plan:
- The BBBofC would have to approve all venues used for boxing.
- Cards initially are likely be staged without a live audience.
- All participants will be tested for COVID-19.
- Strict social distancing will be required.
- All participants might be required to wear personal protective gear
- Participants will have been required to be quarantine before the event.
- All cards will be limited to five fights, although that might be adjusted.
- The BBBofC will work with medical authorities to have personnel in place.
The pandemic has brought sporting events to halt for more than a month, although a boxing card was staged in Nicaragua on Saturday.
Here is the compete BBBofC statement:
British Boxing Board of Control Statement to Promoters on resumption of Boxing post COVID-19 lockdown
At present there is no date for lockdown to end. Public health and safety is everyone’s top priority and the British Boxing Board of Control is taking Government advice so that we can best advise all our licence holders as to when professional Boxing in the UK can resume. We recognise that licence holders will want to prepare for restrictions being lifted and sport resuming. It is important to recognise that when professional Boxing promotions can resume there may be restrictions in place.
When will BBBofC licensed tournaments commence?
Depending upon Government decisions it is hopeful that professional Boxing will commence in July 2020 and we will continue to use our best endeavours to do so and are working closely with our Promoters.
Will crowd attending tournaments / mass gatherings be permitted?
Initially, it is unlikely that crowd attending promotions will be permitted. In that situation the emphasis will be on minimal numbers of Officials, Licence Holder’s, members of the Promoter’s team and broadcasting personnel to facilitate a tournament that meets all BBBofC safety requirements.
Which venues will be used / available?
No tournament will be permitted to run unless the venue has been approved by the BBBofC post the Government lockdown being lifted.
Who should NOT attend tournaments?
Any person who has increased risk of severe illness from Coronavirus (COVID-19)
How many contests will be on each promotion?
Maximum 5 contests, however, this position will be reviewed by the BBBofC.
What COVID-19 precautions will be in place at tournaments?
There will be a pre-tournament medical form, COVID-19 testing and pre-tournament quarantine. Any person attending the tournament will be required to complete a BBBofC COVID-19 medical form. If a completed form is not received, then attendance at a tournament will not be permitted. All licence holders and those personnel in attendance will be required to undertake COVID-19 testing. The time frame for these tests will be confirmed at a later date. The BBBofC will be issuing guidance to all licence holders and parties involved on the requirement for personal protective equipment at tournaments in due course.
Social distancing:
It is highly probable that social distancing measures will be in place for some time after lockdown is lifted. With this in mind there will be strict social distancing measures put in place by the BBBofC and the Promoter for all tournaments. This is to protect all individuals attending the promotion.
Hospitals & Medical Officers:
BBBofC Head Office will directly contact hospitals identified as destinations for Emergency Department or Neurosurgical care. All doctors appointed to the promotion must be registered BBBofC Medical Officers. We will continue to follow the Government and Medical Authorities advice and keep the situation under review and when possible find a way of permitting Boxing when it is safe to do so. Further advice will be supplied to Promoters in due course.
We would like to re-emphasise that our thoughts are with everyone affected by COVID-19. Please stay home and stay safe.