Boxing matches could resume soon

Boxing matches are expected to resume when Metro Manila and other urban centers get declared to modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) status, provided testing and quarantine protocols are strictly followed.

According to Health Undersecretary Dr. Maria Rosario Vergeire, a recent Joint Administrative Order (JAO) issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) does not include boxing among those allowed to resume.

It is supposed to be issued by the DoH, the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) and the Philippine Sports Commission, under officer-in-charge commissioner Ramon Fernandez.

“We need to include it in JAO [first],” added Vergeire.

GAB Chairman Abraham Mitra earlier appealed to allow boxing to resume, after the IATF-EID approved the resumption of basketball and football practice and conditioning.

The IATF-EID already approved the request by the Philippine Basketball Association and Philippine Football League to resume basketball and football practices and conditioning under general community quarantine (GCQ) but without playing and scrimmages.

Although there are 16 regions that are now under MGCQ, holding of boxing events and other combat sports in provinces remain suspended as local promoters await the new IATF-EID resolution before operating in their respective areas.

Metro Manila and 10 other regions are still under GCQ, while Cebu City is under the enhanced community quarantine.

Mitra hopes the IATF-EID would eventually allow boxing under the new normal.

Some promoters are also pushing for closed-door professional boxing events with zero spectators.

Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde already prepared a boxing card without an audience at the Elorde Sports Complex on July 31.

Liza Elorde, wife of Johnny, son of the late Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, said they would also arrange a fight card once they received the IATF-EID’s approval to help their boxers to have fights even though there’s no return of investment on their part.