‘NO PLANS’ TO DELAY RUMBLE

THE promoters of the Jeff Horn and Tim Tszyu fight in Townsville say there are now no plans to change the event’s date despite the threat of coronavirus.

Tickets for the Rumble on the Reef April 22 fight at Queensland Country Bank Stadium will go on sale today as planned.

Promoters Dean Lonergan and Matt Rose said they would take advice from health authorities on the response to coronavirus but at this stage there was no reason to postpone the WBO global title fight.

“Jeff and Tim are continuing to train for the 22nd of April,” Mr Lonergan said.

“They will be ready to rumble in Townsville at that great new stadium.

“We know North Queenslanders want the fight. Jeff and Tim are training around the clock to deliver.”

Mr Lonergan said there were “no plans and no reason” to move the date. “People buying tickets can be assured they will see Jeff Horn and

Tim Tszyu slug l it out in Townsville even if – based on expert advice – it has to be rescheduled to another date,” he said.

The Prime Minister banned non-essential gatherings of more than 500 people on Friday.

There is no time frame on how long the ban will last. It already means some major sports events have been cancelled or like the NRL will be played at empty stadiums.

Mr Lonergan’s assurance about the fight came after Horn said on Friday he would not fight in an empty stadium.

“In my opinion it will just be a temporary thing and hopefully it doesn’t last very long,” Horn said at the time.

“I think what would have to happen, the fight would be postponed, unfortunately, it is great to get it done but sometimes it doesn’t work out this way and we have to follow the rules.”

Both boxers will continue to train for the fight and Horn said he wanted the fight to happen in Townsville whether it was delayed six weeks, two months or three months.