Boxing
Eddie Hearn gives 'gut feeling' on upcoming Matchroom Boxing events amidst coronavirus
Eddie Hearn prefers being optimistic, but he just doesn't know how the coronavirus will affect Matchroom Boxing's upcoming schedule of bouts.
So, at best, all the promoter is willing to do right now is project his gut feeling on the full slate.
"March 28, what's the percentage likelihood (for David Avanesyan vs. Josh Kelly)? — 50-50," Hearn told iFL TV on Friday, as he started to rattle off fights on the docket. "April 4 (Lewis Ritson vs. Miguel Vazquez) — 60-40 going ahead, April 17 in Maryland (for Regis Prograis vs. Maurice Hooker) — 50-50, April 18 in Doncaster (for Terri Harper vs. Tasha Jones), again maybe 1,400 (people) — 70 percent likely to go ahead, May 2 Dillian Whyte, at the moment — 70 percent to likely go ahead, here (London for Oleksandr Usyk vs. Dereck Chisora) — 80 percent likely to go ahead."
But those projections came with a self-imposed reality check, too.
"But I don't know what I'm talking about, do I?" Hearn continued. "What's the point of giving percentages? I'm just saying, right now, that's my gut feeling."
That being said, he cautiously warned: "You could have another 2,000 cases (of coronavirus) tomorrow and everything is off for three months."
If the latter does happen, Hearn maintained that any fan who purchased a ticket to any of the aforementioned events will get a full refund if the show is canceled.
Shakur Stevenson was supposed to fight Miguel Marriaga in an empty Madison Square Garden on Saturday night, but the bout was later postponed due to the coronavirus.
Hearn's comments follow the World Health Organization announcing coronavirus as a pandemic, with major sports organizations such as the NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS and ATP suspending their seasons. The NCAA also canceled its men's and women's basketball tournaments.
As of Friday, coronavirus cases have grown to 125,000 worldwide.
