Robert Smith has issued an update regarding the resumption of British boxing.
BoxingScene.com reported on Thursday that plans are being put in place for a return to action by June, with behind-closed-doors shows first as long as the UK coronavirus lockdown is lifted.
But after the government and medical experts extended the lockdown by three weeks until at least May 7, the British Boxing Board of Control has been forced to review its position on matters.
“We hope to be back in early June or at least by the end of that month and July at the outside,” Robert Smith, the Board’s general secretary, told BoxingScene initially, before revealing on Friday that the likelihood of such events being back in said time is slim.
“At present, there is no date for social isolation to an end. Public health and safety is everyone’s priority and the British Boxing Board of Control so that we can best advise all our licence holders as to when professional boxing in the UK can resume,” Smith said in Friday’s statement.
“We recognise that licence holders will want to prepare for restrictions being lifted and sport resuming. However, it is important to remember that professional boxing will not be able to resume as soon as the ‘lockdown’ and social distancing measures are lifted.”
The hope is that the three-week lockdown, until May 7, is the end of the measures and hopes that medical staff will be freed up to take a ringside seat.
Under the current Government lockdown, all non-essential shops and restaurants are closed, as well as cinemas, theatres, gyms, libraries, pubs, arenas and leisure centres. People are allowed out of their homes to shop for necessities, once for exercise, for medal care and travelling to and from work if they cannot work from home. Meetings of more than two people are banned unless they live in the same household.
Several sports have already decided to scrap major summer events, with Wimbledon and the Open Championship among those called off. The County Championship in cricket has been cancelled as well as lower-league football and rugby.
“When restrictions are lifted, the ongoing work for our BBBofC medical officers and ambulance crews in their NHS roles will continue for some time,” he continues.
“As the immediate pressure on the NHS reduces some medical officers may be available to work at BBBofC shows. However, this may not necessarily mean that shows can run. While the NHS is still fighting/recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic we cannot place any further pressure on the system.
“The British Boxing Board of Control will not place this pressure on the NHS and professional boxing cannot happen until normal NHS services have resumed.
“Furthermore, NHS staff will have come through one of the biggest challenges faced by the NHS, in its history. All involved will be physically and mentally fatigued. They will justifiably want to take rest and recuperation time. Therefore, due consideration has to be given to the medical personnel before any appointments to tournaments can take place.”
