UK to allow closed-door sporting events no earlier than June 1

The British Boxing Board of Control is “hopeful” that UK boxing will resume in July, but if things go according to plan, we could see a sooner return. The UK government today revealed its “plan to rebuild”, detailing a three-step plan to returning to relative normalcy as the pandemic subsides. Step Two, scheduled for “no earlier” than June 1st depending on infection rates, would see the return of sporting events behind closed doors.

To aid planning, the Government’s current aim is that the second step will be made no earlier than Monday 1 June, subject to these conditions being satisfied. Until that time the restrictions currently in place around the activities below will continue. The Government will work with the devolved administrations to ensure that the changes for step two and beyond are coordinated across the UK. However, there may be circumstances where different measures will be lifted at different times depending on the variance in rate of transmission across the UK.

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Permitting cultural and sporting events to take place behind closed-doors for broadcast, while avoiding the risk of large-scale social contact.

June is the target on the other side of the pond as well. Zanfer has a slate of cards planned throughout the month in Mexico City and Bob Arum has his sights on hosting stateside fights during the same time period.

All of this depends on the coronavirus, of course; a second wave of infections, or a fresh batch of them traced to the UFC’s ongoing efforts, could easily push things back well into fall. Fingers crossed and all that.