THE British Boxing Board of Control could meet with broadcasters in early April to discuss the possibility of running fight nights behind closed doors.
Essential measures aimed at stemming the spread of coronavirus saw boxing bills around the globe – including Michael Conlan’s St Patrick’s Day show in New York - cancelled and without spectators buying tickets from the fighters, small hall shows in empty arenas are unviable.
TV money could make up the shortfall and it would be welcomed by out-of-work boxers and broadcasters with schedules to fill but new MTK Global vice-president Jamie Conlan says "it's a long shot".
“Broadcasters need some live content and fighters want to fight but health and safety comes first,” explained Conlan.
“The difference now is that fighters aren’t really able to train. They can’t go into gyms and they have to be aware of their social surroundings. But if one sport is able to do it, it’s probably boxing.
“If there were bills behind closed doors, boxers would get paid and broadcasters would be happy but, from a promotional point of view, it wouldn’t be the most appealing because atmosphere makes boxing. It would be an empty venue because if you were looking at 100 people it would predominantly be TV production staff, corner teams and media.
“To actually get it done is a long shot. Boxing is optimistic of getting it going but who knows what’s round the corner?”
Conlan was officially appointed to his new role as MTK Global vice-president yesterday and he intends to build on the progress he has made over the past two years. Since being appointed as MTK’s Professional Development Co-ordinator he has helped to breathe life into the Irish fight scene with events like Carl Frampton’s Windsor Park extravaganza against Luke Jackson and his younger brother Michael’s outdoor Feile spectacular last summer. In addition there have been a series of lower-profile shows which have allowed a stream of talented Irish fighters to make strides in the professional game.
“The main thing I wanted to do when I started was make sure we had a continuous hub for Irish boxing,” explained the affable west Belfast man.
“Developing fighters in Belfast and beyond was the first thing I thought we should focus on and the first two fighters I signed were Sean McComb and Steven Donnelly. I believe that if we keep signing the best prospects in Ireland we can secure a UK broadcaster and make local, home-grown stars.
“We’ve been speaking to broadcasters about a partnership to set up an annual fight night and bring big-time boxing to Belfast on a continuous basis. We’re still in the development stage at the Ulster Hall but we have the talent here, I’ve always raved about it, but we have been over-looked and over-shadowed.
“Now hopefully we can get it on a continuous basis because we have the talent here on the pro scene at the minute and coming out of the next Olympics.”
Two MTK shows scheduled for April 24 and 25 had to be cancelled due to the Coronavirus emergency but Carl Frampton’s clash with WBO super-featherweight champion Jamel Herring is still going ahead.
Of course that could change and so could the eagerly-anticipated Feile an Phobail bill which will be headlined once again by featherweight-title chasing Michael Conlan.
“I’ve been talking to Kevin Gamble and the rest of the Feile and they are thinking ahead just in case the worst scenario happens,” Jamie explained.
“We don’t know, we’re entering into the unknown as a planet, nevermind a nation but we’ll have a Plan A, Plan B and Plan C just in case things continue on as there are.”
