Boxers in Britain will be banned from spitting and have to wear face masks for their ring-walks as part of proposals for the sport to return in July.
The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) are planning to ease their way back into the sporting sphere with events containing a maximum of five bouts, with all fights initially set to take place behind closed doors.
That could prove a further delay to Anthony Joshua’s proposed fight against Kubrat Pulev at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which is currently loosely scheduled for the end of July.
The board wrote to promoters across the UK spelling out their proposals, which lay out the criteria for any fights to take place in July and for the foreseeable future in a response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Boxers, as well as everyone in attendance at any fights, will have to be tested for Covid-19 before taking any part, while all boxers, trainers and referees will have to be isolated at a hotel until their test result is known.
Referees must wear protective masks for the duration of the fights, while boxers must also use them until they enter the ring.
Other rules stipulate that fighters cannot spit in their respective corners between rounds and ring announcers, ring girls and TV cameras will be banned from inside the ropes.
Joshua’s promoter, Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, told the BBC that the outlined rules provided “huge barriers to overcome”, while trainer Joe Gallagher, who looks after Callum Smith, added: “Why the rush and do things in half measures? Make sure everyone is safe and well and let’s look at getting going in September.”
One major stumbling block for boxing’s return is the need for ambulances and medical staff, with the Government adamant the sport should not put a further strain on health services.
