Add “Fight Night In Framingham” on March 20 at the Sheraton in Framingham, Mass., to the list of boxing cards called off due to the coronavirus pandemic. “We had been working with the venue very closely to insure the best possible controlled environment,” Shearns Boxing Promotions president Chuck Shearns said. “But at this point the right thing to do is to take no chances. Health and safety are our top priorities. We have followed suit with other promoters and indefinitely postponed this event."

Dan Rafael, ESPN Senior Writer4d ago

The already long-delayed final of the second-season cruiserweight tournament in the World Boxing Super Series is in jeopardy because of the coronavirus pandemic. Yunier Dorticos is due to defend his belt against former titlist Mairis Briedis in the final March 21 in Riga, Latvia, Briedis' hometown, but the card may be called off. "The World Boxing Super Series has learned, as a consequence of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, the government of Latvia has decided that all public events, meetings, processions and pickets with more than 200 participants are banned as of March 13 (until) April 14," the WBSS said in a statement Thursday. "We are assessing the consequences for the WBSS cruiserweight final, scheduled for March 21 in Riga, with local authorities and the fighters' teams. We will make a further statement in the coming days."

Dan Rafael, ESPN Senior Writer4d ago

Promoter "Raging Babe" Michelle Rosado said Friday that she has postponed her March 27 "Philly Special" card until June 19 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The show was scheduled to take place at 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. Rosado said the card, due to be televised on Impact Network, would feature the same lineup, including the all-Philly main event between lightweights Stevie Ortiz and Damon Allen. "While the state didn't require us to shut it down, we feel it's the best course of action, and in line with other sports' coronavirus measures," Rosado said. "I care too much about the health of our fans and their families to take the risk. I am not happy about postponing the card, but I would feel much worse if someone became sick because they attended the Philly Special."

Dan Rafael, ESPN Senior Writer4d ago

With the threat of the coronavirus having a major impact on the world of sports, contingency plans are being made for upcoming boxing events. Bob Arum tells ESPN that unified bantamweight titleholder Naoya Inoue has received his visa and will seek approval to come to America. The veteran promoter noted that his April 25 bout against John Riel Casimero in Las Vegas, ''may be done in a TV studio."

Steve Kim, ESPN5d ago

In regards to the March 28 card at the Videotron Center in Quebec City, that features unified light heavyweight titlist, Artur Beterbiev, taking on Fenlong Meng, promoter Yvon Michel says while the local government has forbidden any outdoor events with more than 250 spectators for the next 30 days, all options (which could include moving the date back) are being considered. Carl Moretti of Top Rank said to ESPN, "It's a fluid process and we're trying to figure everything out."

Steve Kim, ESPN5d ago

Premier Boxing Champions have just announced that this Saturday nights card in Oxon Hill, Maryland, which had a main featuring James Kirkland and Mark Hernandez has been post-poned. Fighters and their campaign were notified within the past hour.

Steve Kim, ESPN5d ago

Due to concerns over the coronavirus, Murphy's Boxing announced on Thursday that they are cancelling their March 14 card at the House of Blues in Boston. "We're obviously beyond disappointed for the fighters who have trained so hard and our fans that travel from all over to the world to experience a Murphy's Boxing event in Boston on St. Patrick's Day Weekend but everyone's safety and health is of the upmost importance.", explains, Murphys Boxing founder and Dropkick Murphys frontman, Ken Casey.

Steve Kim, ESPN5d ago

A source tells ESPN that tomorrow night's ShoBox card from the Grand Casino in Hinckley, Minnesota, featuring prospects Brandun Lee, Brian Norman and Alejandro Guerrero will proceed, but like the upcoming Top Rank cards in New York, the public will not be allowed to attend as spectators.

Steve Kim, ESPN5d ago

Matchroom Sports has a full slate of cards coming up in the UK and the States amidst the spread of the coronavirus, Eddie Hearn says, "We are dictated to by the people who really know what to do -- the government. We'll be lead by them and the health minister., any advice we get in that respect. At the moment, it's full stead ahead, that can change at any time, it might change today." On March 28, they have card scheduled at the O2 Arena in London featuring Josh Kelly against David Avanesyan.

Steve Kim, ESPN5d ago

Eddie Hearn says that while he prefers his upcoming cards to have live audiences at them, he know that the television networks need their scheduled programming and there's also this: "We also have fighters that need to fight, have fighters that need to get paid to live and to provide for their families." Hearn noted a cancelled card realistically can't be rescheduled for at least a couple of months in today's business.

Steve Kim, ESPN5d ago

So what happens if any future Matchroom Sports events get cancelled due to the coronavirus? "We just put something out today to the fans, so that they know where they stand, just saying, 'Look, any cancelled event, you'll get a full refund.' So don't panic, we're all systems go and hopefully it's not an issue for us," said Eddie Hearn, who has a card on March 28 in London and April 17 in Oxon Hill, Maryland, among other fights on their schedule.

Steve Kim, ESPN5d ago

According to Juan Carlos of Zanfer Promotions, the return of WBC jr. bantamweight champion, Juan Francisco Estrada is set for the summer. He tells ESPN, "It looks like Estrada is coming back in June, don't know the exact date, most likely it will be a rematch with Carlos Cuadras," said Carlos. who added, "then we're looking for a rematch with 'Chocolatito' at the end of the year, or a trilogy with (Srisaket) Sor Rungvisai." Estrada, last fought in August, and had been sidelined with hand issues.

Steve Kim, ESPN6d ago

WBO 122 pound champion, Emanuel Navarrete has been one of the most active champions in boxing, having made five successful title defenses since winning the belt against Isaac Dogboe in December of 2018. According to Juan Carlos of Zanfer Promotions, he will return in July and that, ''most likely he's going to defend his title (at 122)." There had been some talk of him moving up in weight. Back on Feb. 22, the 25 year old Navarrete stopped Jeo Santisima on the Wilder-Fury II undercard.

Steve Kim, ESPN6d ago

Sources have told ESPN that on April 17 that a welterweight contest will take place between welterweights Chris Van Heerden and Antonio Demarco. Also on this card will be the WBA's top rated 115 pounder, Andrew Moloney. This event which will take place at the Osage Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma will feature heavyweight Trey Morrison and the pro debut of Jeremiah Milton, who hails from Tulsa. This show will be televised on an ESPN platform.

Steve Kim, ESPN6d ago