Sadly, it was inevitable that April 4’s huge event starring Savannah Marshall, Lewis Ritson and Tommy Ward would fall.
But Matchroom have announced that the show will go on – just seven weeks later and it will be business as usual for the Neil Fannan team.
Eddie Hearn said that his next three domestic promotions would not go ahead following the coronaviris crisis.
Josh Kelly-David Avanesyan is the first casualty at the 02 on March 28, followed by the Utilita Arena show headlined by Ritson against Miguel Vasquez with the belting UK world title confrontation between new champ Terri Harper and Natasha Jonas in Doncaster delayed too.
Kelly will now challenge Avanesyan on another Sky show, probably one of their PPV events, but at least the North-East fans have an occasion to look forward to.
That date is Saturday, June 27, with the same impressive cast list.
Of course, the postponement is a frustration to all concerned, not least the boxers. They don’t get a weekly or monthly salary, they only get paid when they fight.
It is also frustrating for the fans, more than 7,500 have parted with their hard-earned cash already to secure tickets.
Boxing is on a high here and it is good that the show WILL happen – it would have been a travesty had it gone on behind closed doors or the bouts been moved to other venues.
A Lewis Ritson night at the Utility Arena is something special and there was no shock when punch-lines learned that only a very tiny minority of spectators had requested a refund.
Fannan said that for all the work already put in at his Hartlepool gym there was no dissent at the news.
“We said when we found out ‘we’re active and fit men, we’ll just get on with it with no moaning’,” said the trainer.
“There are too many people out there who are vulnerable or been left badly off because of this.
“We are in no position to moan – we’ve got a postponement, we have a new date and we’ll work towards that.
“Me, Lewis and Tommy had a chat about it and what we’d do.
“I’d usually give the lads time off but they’ve said ‘where can we go? We may as well be working’.
“They have the rest of this week off but both lads want to be back in the gym on Monday.
“Lewis and Tommy are not just great boxers, they are great professionals.
“When the news came through, there was not one complaint, both got changed and trained.
“Tommy sparred and looked brilliant.”
Fannan paid tribute to the WBO super-bantamweight star’s sparring partner, Leeds boxer Jack Bateson.
“Jack already knew his own fight was off before he set off for Hartlepool,” said Fannan. “He could have stayed at home but didn’t want to let us down so still turned up.
“I have the utmost respect for him.”
Words: Roy Kelly
