Why A Heavyweight Title Bout on a Boat or in a Castle is Absurd
Editorial By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
*Photo Credit: mirror.co.uk
Promoter Eddie Hearn proposes to reschedule the Anthony Joshua versus Kubrat Pulev mandatory World Heavyweight title defense on a boat or in a castle sometime later in 2020. Joshua, the World Boxing Association, Worlds Boxing Organization, International Boxing Federation and International Boxing Organization world heavyweight title holder, was supposed to fight Pulev in April 2020. The coronavirus pandemic has not only postponed the boat, it has created a crisis as to how and where to stage the bout, in all probability for television without spectators.
Joshua, 23-12 with 21 knockouts, Watford, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, who not fought since winning his rematch with Andy Ruiz in December 2019, must somehow make a mandatory defense against the mandatory number one challenger, Pulev, 28-1 with 14 knockouts, Sofia, Bulgaria, AKA The Cobra. Pulev, at 39 years of age, has become the second Alexander Povetkin of the heavyweight division, aging out while still seeking another shot at a share of the world heavyweight title, Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder, Joshua, or otherwise.
In the “new” normal era of the coronavirus pandemic, television and pay-per-view are still available, only the fans probably will not be able to attend the next world heavyweight title bout due to social distancing protocols. So how practical is it for Eddie
Hearn to stage a world heavyweight title bout on a boat or in a castle? It is extreme, but Hearn conceivably could have no choice if boxing is to continue in some manner, shape or form. The concept of isolated boxing is sad, but professional and amateur sports are slated to resume in the Fall 2020, likely minus the fans for the moment.
The social dilemma everyone faces, including those affiliated with the sporting world, is weighing resuming normal activity versus the possibility of contracting coronavirus. Iran estimates over 25 million people have the virus. That’s only one country, not the entire world. The conflict is economically and socially, all businesses and athletics are in danger of falling by the wayside if the coronavirus is set aside.
Truth is there are no easy answer to solving the current riddle of the pandemic. With one million new infections every 100 hours, human lives are at stake. Even on a boat, or in a medieval British castle, put people together in a social gathering situation, and people could contract the coronavirus, even lose their lives. The heavyweight division remains in crisis.
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