Promoter Eddie Hearn is fully aware that it will take some time before boxing returns to normal. Most sporting events are discouraged from having people on hand, avoiding large gatherings that could further burden health experts in trying to contain the coronavirus. Some sporting leagues are planning to restart but the glaring difference is having no fans in the stands.
Hearn knows that this could be detrimental to boxing. No fans translate to no revenue. If that were the case, all parties involved get meager income from staging a fight indoors. It begs to ask how the promoter can push Anthony Joshua to fight on with low to none income while keeping him in shape in the process. Speaking to IFL TV, Hearn revealed the scenario and how timing is important before expecting normal boxing matches to resume.
"Those visual impacts are so important for Joshua’s brand, for the sport of boxing, for our country – I don’t want to do that behind closed doors," Hearn said. "I want to give ourselves every opportunity to stage an AJ fight in front of a crowd. We may have to bite the bullet and say he’s only going to box once this year."
For now, Hearns temporarily forecasts Joshua returning to the ring. His opponent is likely to be Kubrat Pulev, a fight that was originally slated to take place this summer. That clash is already postponed and a new fight date has yet to be announced.
For Joshua, staying active in shape is what Hearn is focusing on. He last took the ring in December when he won in the rematch against Andy Ruiz. And from the looks of it, he will try to make things work if boxing is to be forcibly held indoors. It would require a lot of brainstorming, meaning he will need to sit down and do the math to see how everyone involved is properly compensated.
But the first thing is checking if Joshua, Pulev, or any other fighter is willing to take the ring even if it were held indoors. So far, one fighter who does not mind is Dyllian Whyte. Like Joshua, he was scheduled to fight this May and face Alexander Povetkin in Manchester. Hearn is interested in making that fight happen too but knows he can only move once the lockdowns are lifted.
All Hearn can do now is wait and map out the roadmaps of his fighters. No one can answer when the coast will be clear of COVID-19 - meaning the boxing promoter will be busy weighing the pros and cons for now.
