In-studio boxing bills are an option
Local professional boxing could be back on the cards by September but the financial viability of staging tournaments under restrictive Covid-19 regulations will remain an inhibiting factor.
With a pot of talented young fighters on their books kicking their heels under lockdown conditions due to the coronavirus shutdown, licenced promoters worldwide have seen the urgency to get back to business within government guidelines and restrictions.
On the home front, Golden Gloves are waiting to sound the opening bell at the earliest opportunity once lockdown restrictions are eased.
Promoter Rodney Berman confirmed that negotiations were at an advanced stage with pay station SuperSport to stage two in-studio tournaments on consecutive nights in September, subject to both government and Boxing South Africa (BSA) approval.
“Ordinarily it would be permissible under level two lockdown conditions and I am optimistic by the end of July we will be able to make a call. It takes a minimum of six to eight weeks for fighters to get into prime condition for a fight.
“We have contingency plans in place and will stick strictly to the health protocols and guidelines from Boxing South Africa (BSA),” Berman pointed out.
Golden Gloves revealed details this week on their website of a proposed cruiserweight Super-4 shootout dubbed featuring unbeaten WBA Pan-African champion Akani Phuzi against Chris Thompson and Lebo Mashitoa versus Keaton Gomes.
Add to that the stalled 4@War junior middleweight final, which
Picture: Brian Wysoke was supposed to have taken place in March, throw in a vastly trimmed undercard, and that would make up the proposed live television offering.
Due to a restriction on the number of people permitted in an arena by social distancing protocol, the number of fights, officials and corner-men will be limited, hence the reason for a “split” bill.
Most promoters rely heavily on sponsorships and with the prevailing economic climate these are difficult to secure.
Not taking into account expenses incurred for BSA and sanctioning body fees, officials and medical staff, the purses alone for the two televised events run into R1.5 million.
Loss of revenue generated by a live gate also impacts on the bottom line and for the survival of the sport post Covid-19, promoters will have to absorb some heavy financial body blows.