Boxing returns to Mexican TV after 3-months pandemic halt

Professional boxing is set to return to Mexican television after a three-month halt on matches due to coronavirus pandemic, promoters said Tuesday.

bouts are scheduled for Saturday in a television studio with spectators.

Even under those conditions, Mexico City boxing commission has refused to sanction fights, citing pandemic. Mexico has h 150,246 confirmed coronavirus cases and 17,580 deaths.

television network TV Azteca is owned by Ricardo Salinas Pliego, who has been a vocal critic of ecomic lockdown.

top fight of Saturday bill will feature WBO super bantam weight champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete.

“This is going to be something new, because this is first time we are fighting without spectators and with out people cheering," said Navarrete. "It will be strange, but we are going to try to igre that and focus more on fight.”

Mexico's professional boxing resumed with one bout in western state of Michoacan in early June. That bill featured IBF light middleweight champion Carlos “King” Molina, and also was fought with spectators. But it wasn't brocast nationally.

Guillermo Brito, operations manr for fight promoter Zanfer, said that company has h to suspend 12 planned bills over last three months and that about 100 boxers have been left with income.

Mexico City boxing commission said it recognizes that “it is important to reactivate ecomy, especially for fighters, but even so, ir health comes first.”

Brito said promoter understands concerns about pandemic, “but we can reactivate this beautiful sport responsibly and with all health measures.”

Those measures include prior coronavirus testing for fighters and all 18 personnel taping match. One fighter who was supposed to be on bill tested positive and her match was dropped.

For a week before matches, all fighters will isolate at a Mexico City hotel and only have contact with a doctor assigned to check up on m. Surfaces at weigh-in and match will be disinfected.