Bob Arum-about when he plans to hold the first shows after the removal of the quarantine
Top promoter Bob Arum (Top Rank) has previously planned to return to US TV screens with Boxing nights in June. He told about this in an interview with the correspondent of the Ring magazine.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, sports events have not been held since March. Arum claims that the first events after the removal of the quarantine will take place not only on weekends: “we Return in June. The show will traditionally be shown by ESPN and ESPN+streaming. Events will take place not only on weekends, but also in the middle of the week. No, I’m not saying that there won’t be top boxers in the first events. There will be tops. But it all depends on what you are waiting for. For example, the third match between heavyweights Tyson fury and Diontay Wilder will not be held yet. But there will be other top boxers: Jose Carlos Ramirez, Teofilo Lopez, Shakur Stevenson. In other words, you will not feel any difference — it will be the same shows that we did for you before.”
Despite difficult negotiations with the local Athletic Commission, the first Top Rank shows are planned to be held in the state of Nevada. Says Arum: “such plans. It’s simple, it’s more convenient for us. This way we can use our training room for boxers. As well as local hotels. Since the first shows will be held without fans, there will be enough space for boxers and staff. Most hotels have beautiful large halls where we would like to hold fights. We can rent them for 2-3 months, for example, in June and July. We may even extend the lease until August or September.”
Arum also plans to hold a couple of events in the state of California. Says a veteran promoter: “It doesn’t mean we won’t have a show in California. There’s a great Athletic Commission, and its boss, Andy foster, is very easy and convenient to do business with. And I do not forget that some of my fighters, such as Ramirez, prefer to fight at home, even if it is a fight without fans. Everything will be alright. Break through! We have already agreed that one of the hospitals in Nevada will have an entire laboratory that can conduct and process several thousand tests a day. We are not experts in this issue — we will trust those who are in the subject. And now we are already working in Nevada, discussing all the details, doing everything together, as a team-Athletic commissions, medical centers, hotels. We will soon be doing the same in California.”