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Taylor v Serrano still slated for May according to Hearn

Katie Taylor’s fight with Amanda Serrano is still going ahead as planned, according to Eddie He...



Taylor v Serrano still slated...
Other Sports

Taylor v Serrano still slated for May according to Hearn

Katie Taylor’s fight with Amanda Serrano is still going ahead as planned, according to Eddie Hearn.

The promoter says all of Matchroom’s scheduled fights from May onwards remain on course - but that could change because of coronavirus.

The British Boxing Board of Control have cancelled all fights in the UK until early April at the earliest.

Hearn told Sky Sports they had tentative plans to stage their March 28 card at a TV studio behind-closed-doors, but says a conversation with Robert Smith of the BBBoC such an idea was a "no go" due to the need for access to medical staff for the boxers.

Taylor is due to face former seven-weight world champion Serrano in Manchester on May the 2nd.

"Boxing, for me, that's not an ideal environment" Hearn said of studio fights, "These are guys that have to peak at the right moment.

"They're putting themselves through a process that many couldn't and wouldn't and to do that sometimes you need the energy of the arena, the energy of the fans to get you up for that moment.

"If we have to proceed eventually in time behind closed doors, it is something we'd look at."

Taylor's fight is on the same card as Dillian Whyte’s heavyweight meeting with Alexander Povetkin at the Manchester Arena on May 2.

Hearn says provisions are in place to move that card to mid-June should the original date be deemed unacceptable.

"We've probably got a two-week window here where we'll be at the mercy of the government to let us know what their plans are, and particularly how this virus continues to spread and at what rate as well," he told Adam Smith.

"Right now, May is - I say 'safe' - May is going ahead, but we also understand that we have contingencies in place to move Dillian Whyte [and Taylor v Serrano] to the middle of June.

"To move move Dereck Chisora v [Oleksandr] Usyk back into the end of June, early July.

"And of course, Anthony Joshua who was due to go [on] June 20 at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club really relies on the run of the Premier League now.

"Because if the Premier League extend their season, Spurs will need their stadium.

"We already have a reserve date that we're discussing with Spurs of July 25... but if we're talking about no boxing until then, this sport's really going to suffer."

Hearn says he's also warned his fighters to "stay ready" as he awaits the okay from the British Boxing Board of Control.

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Amanda Serrano Anthony Joshua Boxing Dillian Whyte Eddie Hearn Katie Taylor Matchroom Matchroom Boxing Tottenham Hotspur