Boxing in Nevada is a go.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission on Wednesday approved Top Rank cards scheduled for June 9 and June 11, as well as UFC events on May 30 and June 6, according to reports. The shows will be staged at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas without spectators because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Both boxing shows will air on ESPN.
“I’ve been working with the executives from Top Rank,” said Bob Bennett, the NSAC’s executive director. “I’ve reviewed their operations plan. They’re still in the process of completing it. It’s very comprehensive. We’re moving in the right direction.
“I’m pleased to see that we are all working in concert with a closed-system event, and I expect it to be very successful.”
Featherweight beltholder Shakur Stevenson (13-0, 7 KOs) will be the headliner on June 9, the first boxing card in the U.S. since mid-March. He reportedly will face Felix Caballaro (13-1-2, 9 KOs) of Puerto Rico in a 130-pound non-title fight, although the matchup hasn’t been finalized.
On June 11, according to BoxingScene.com, former junior bantamweight titleholder Jessie Magdaleno (27-1, 18 KOs) is expected to face Yenifel Vicente (36-4-2, 28 KOs) of the Dominican Republic at 128 pounds.
The NSAC will rule later on proposed boxing cards for June 16, June 18, June 23, June 25 and June 30.
The UFC events will take place at its Apex facility in Las Vegas. UFC staged the first post-lockdown combat sports event – UFC 249 – in the U.S. on May 9 in Florida.
“We’ve been working hand in glove with the UFC,” Bennett told Yahoo Sports. “I’m aware of their operations plan and everything has been moving ahead (in accordance) with their operation plan and our protocols.”