British boxing authorities have tentative plans in place to resume the sport as early as June.
The British Boxing Board of Control has canceled all cards through the end of May but believe shows, likely without spectators, could come soon after that if a government-ordered lock down to battle the coronavirus is lifted.
“We hope to be back in early June or at least by the end of that month and July at the outside,” Robert Smith, general secretary of the BBBofC, told BoxingScene.com.
Smith went on: “There may be a situation that we are limited with the amount of people who are allowed to attend, so we may not be looking at any big arena shows at the moment. The first shows could be behind-closed-doors.”
Of course, the availability of medical personnel at boxing cards is an issue.
Doctors, nurses and paramedics are as busy as they’ve ever been dealing with the pandemic. Can any of them be spared to for ringside duty? And what if a fighter must be treated at a hospital? Will medical personnel have the time and space to accommodate him or her?
“We have 125 doctors that we work with,” Smith told BoxingScene.com. “I’ve spoken to several about what will be possible. As well as what the boxers have been going through without earning any money, we have to be appreciative to what our doctors have been dealing with over this time.
“A lot of the private ambulance and paramedic companies we work with are working for the NHS right now. It is always the case that before a show goes ahead, the nearest hospital with a neurological unit is informed in advance to ensure there will be space in the event of an injury.”