THE KILLER PUNCH

Lay-off could KO gyms

BOXING is one of the sports that’s likely to take big blows while the country is brought to a halt.

Of course there is no rush on the sweet science to continue like football.

There are no seasons to complete, no deadlines for it to return and any impending mandatory defences will be suspended of course.

The big earners in the sport will hardly be short of a few quid if they have to wait a few months for their next box office cheque.

Some have said, ‘Sure, boxing will be fine because fights can happen any time’ – but will it?

The sport is much more than the huge stars that bring in the big numbers.

For some fighters, coaches and officials involved every penny matters and they are all self-employed workers as much as they are athletes.

They are staring down the barrel at months with no pay, while the bills still keep coming unless they can get help from the Government.

“If this goes on for too long, I might never return to the ring because I will need to take a job to get money quicker than waiting on a fight date to be rescheduled,” one young fighter told Starsport this week.

What about the journeymen who bank on the £400 they might get for putting a prospect through his paces at the weekend to supplement their income from their 9-5? Many count on that to meet their mortgage repayments.

There is real concern among those trainers who run gyms across the country, too.

Many stayed open, awaiting the Government-enforced shutdown, as they simply couldn’t afford to close the doors.

And what about the amateur gyms, many of which already closed earlier this week?

Yes, their overheads will be dramatically reduced, with no need for the use of heating and electricity, while nobody is punching the bags or in the ring.

But with no subs coming in,

■ how will they pay the rents on the properties they use?

They’re not classed as small businesses but will need financial support to ensure they can reopen their doors when the time comes.

Even if a handful can’t keep going, the sport and local communities will suffer.

The health of the nation is far more important than a sport’s well-being, of course.

But by the time the country has recovered from the coronavirus, boxing may be on the ropes.