The president of the World Boxing Organization (WBO), Francisco 'Paco' Valcárcel, says that for the immediate future, the entity will not sanction fights for world or regional championships when there are risks associated with the COVID-19 virus.
Likewise, he announced that the annual convention that was to be held in Puerto Rico in October should be postponed to 2021.
He believes that in order for the sport of boxing to return in full force, with full venues, there will likely have to be a vaccine available.
"When the conditions are safe, we will sanction fights as long as they do not put the health of the participants and the public at risk," Valcárcel said to Carlos Gonzalez. “Boxing will depend a lot on a vaccine. That will be the starting point."
Valcárcel mentioned that Puerto Rican promoters with the intention of presenting functions on the island should be creative in handling the protection of fighters, assistants, technicians and others within the venues.
"They must provide masks to the public, in addition to limiting the number of attendees because if they say that they are going to guarantee security and someone is infected during the card, (the promoter) may be legally responsible if someone is infected," Paco warned.
“The costs will be higher and the income lower. We must also consider that the promoters bring in boxers from other countries. That what makes it more difficult. I admit that they must look for solutions between the promoters with the Boxing Commission and the government because things have to return to normal at the time. It has to be totally safe, we cannot afford to be half safe."
Valcárcel, on the other hand, detailed that the WBO approved the celebration of a function in Japan under strict measures to minimize the chances of spreading the coronavirus among the participants and the spectators. This event will be in June.
“There will be an empty row of seats in the middle of each one, plus two empty seats between each person to avoid direct contact. There will also be no people standing in the hallways. Participants, both boxers and coaches, will have to take the COVID-19 test the same day and have the results available. If someone tests positive, obviously, they will not be able to fight because we will not risk others being infected," Paco said.
“In Japan it is very different because there is a culture of wearing masks. It has always been done. The Japanese are respectful of the rights of others and in Puerto Rico there is no such culture."