-
Casinos for you
Boxing Hit by Coronavirus KO
By Glen James Mar 22, 2020 OpinionThe coronavirus has hit sports worldwide including boxing and many major fights have therefore been postponed as a result.These are unprecedented times for everyone on a global scale. Sport has been affected all around the world, with all major events having been postponed or cancelled due to the impact of the coronavirus.
Boxing is no different. This year had began brightly for the sport, with several high-profile fights continuing the momentum on from an exciting overall 2019.
But there were many more eagerly anticipated match-ups scheduled to take place in the coming weeks and months that have since been hit by the the pandemic gripping nations on all continents.
Plenty of boxing’s biggest names and box office attractions were set to make their first appearances of 2020 before all fight night events were put on hold due to the ongoing health crisis.
Pound-for-pound stars such as Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, Oleksandr Usyk and Naoya Inoue have all had their upcoming clashes derailed because of COVID-19, as major fight venues in cities across the UK and America try to cope with proceedings like any other walk of life.
England’s leading football division, the Premier League, is one of the most substantially affected sporting casualties of the coronavirus but for domestic boxers up and down the country, their livelihoods and incomes have been put on hold for now.
For those combatants not at the elite level where financial rewards are greater, it’s a tough time right now. Simply put, those fighters don’t get paid without fighting, and there won’t be any bouts coming up any time soon as the emphasis is rightfully put on health and wellbeing for the time being.
‘Canelo’ clash still undecided
Though at the top level of the sport, huge names such as ‘Canelo’ are still keeping focused, remaining in training and preparing for the time they are once again able to don their gloves in the ring, when the current situation comes to a welcomed end.
The red-headed Mexican was previously readying himself for his annual May 2nd ring appearance, the weekend of Cinco de Mayo, an annual celebration for those from his native homeland and of such descent.
It looked likely of being England’s Billy Joe Saunders that would win the coveted ‘Canelo’ fight payday, fending off fellow Briton and super-middleweight world champion Callum Smith to that prosperous position.
Alvarez was regarded as a sizeable odds-on 1/5* favourite with Ladbrokes to see off any threat posed by Saunders if the two did meet, though it looks in jeopardy right now.
But the coronavirus has hindered the bout and potentially halted Saunders’ hopes of finally getting that mammoth pairing and financial incentive he has long been desiring. It remains unclear what the immediate future holds for the upcoming fights that were initially set to occur in the coming weeks, but postponements have been rife.
Although, reports from America suggest ‘Canelo’ and his team may skip that May meeting altogether now after “agreeing” to a third encounter with long-standing rival Gennady Golovkin. That would be another massive clash for later in the year, likely September, once the dust hopefully settles on these troublesome times.
Usyk’s heavyweight hopes hindered again?
Elsewhere, the heavyweight ventures of Ukrainian maestro Usyk have been frustratingly put on ice as well. The former cruiserweight king got fans intrigued when he announced his decision to move up divisions and make a charge at heavyweight glory in his professional career.
The 2012 Olympic Gold medallist had his eventual division debut delayed for some time last year and frustratingly had to settle for an inferior opponent in Chazz Witherspoon when it finally came to fruition.
He overcame the American comfortably as expected and instantly set his sights on winning a world title at the weight.
But he has had to endure a series of setbacks since then, including injury problems, before the recent coronavirus epidemic.
Usyk was scheduled to lock horns with Britain’s Dereck Chisora on May 23rd but it’s unclear whether that will ultimately still go ahead after recent problems, with all UK boxing having been suspended indefinitely.
‘The Monster’ caged for now
Meanwhile, Japanese superstar Inoue is another one of the sport’s leading lights that has been forced to wait on his latest outing in the squared-circle.
The man known as ‘The Monster’ was preparing to battle with Filipino Johnriel Casimero on April 25th in an awaited bantamweight unification showdown but that has become another coronavirus-hit show in the US.
Of course, the most important thing right now is the health and safety of everyone during a worrying time on a global scale, but boxing’s eventual return to action will be met with opened arms in what will hopefully be sooner rather than later.
*odds correct at time of writing
You might also like