Fighters in limbo despite tentative August re-opening

Possibility of no club boxing in 2020

While the whole of Ireland and especially the sporting organisations await information on phase two in the government’s recovery programme, sadly for boxing a return to club training is not expected until mid-August which could well see no amateur boxing an international or club level in the current year.

The High Performance unit based at Abbotstown in Dublin expect to resume on August 10 but their preparations could be very restricted giving social distancing; training basics as well as medical requirements will greatly impact on the situation there.

For the smaller clubs where conditions are at times spartan with fewer coaches and less space, the situation is even worse, with Cavan BC coach Brian McKeown stating that a potential lack of sparring/padwork and one-to-one coaching and no short term incentive of competition “could well see an exodus to other sports”.

“Already,” said McKeown, “a number of clubs have been forced to seek new training premises due to increased rents, lack of funds and even with affiliation and insurance fees suspended until later in the year, sadly more of the smaller clubs will be forced to put up the shutters for good.

“A conservative estimate for most clubs before reopening would be in the region of €2000 to cover affiliation ,insurance and new cards for competition never mind the replacement of worn out equipment.”

Cavan BC expected to be over in Grantham for the East Midlands Box Cup last weekend with a trip to London for the Haringey Box Cup on the June Bank holiday weekend but booking early to save money meant saying goodbye to cash which is hard raised in the first place.

“The club’s annual flag day in August, our main fundraiser to get the club up and going for the new season, is also under threat so tough times ahead,” added McKeown.

It looked as if the Olympics were due to go ahead on the same date next year in Tokyo with the completion of the European qualifier in February or March and the World qualifier in Paris in May but now these may be under threat if quarantine periods and further restrictions come into play.

This leaves the likes of Cavan boxer Ceire Smith’s Olympic aspirations under a bit of a cloud as Paris in May was her qualification target and negotiations with University and the Irish HP unit were positive and workable.

At present, Ceire and the rest of the squad are involved in video training sessions and lectures via video with HP coaches and support staff while maintaining her strength and conditioning programme,nrunning and tactical work with her own coach in Cavan.

The lack of a measured running track, closure of high-tec gyms and lack of sparring, school-boxing and general ring work are a handicap which can be overcome for now but become more important as competition approaches and training intensifies.

Meanwhile, the pros expect to be back in action behind closed doors in July but social distance, little or no crowds, medical restrictions, quarantine, travel and isolated location for all participants could prove very expensive and small fights could only be relayed on Pay Per View.

With extra cash and punters frustrations taken into consideration, McKeown believes it is difficult to see this lasting too long.

“As for the amateurs, tournaments had just got too expensive to run, with too much red tape surrounding events, medical requirements and a lack of confidence in the motives of many officials has made it just not worth the hassle for smaller clubs.”

In terms of the actual boxing, aside from the money available in the pro set-up, these boxers fight less often over longer distances at a slower pace with long recovery periods after each contest with plenty of time for injuries to recover and enjoy a weigh in often 36 hours prior to their fight to rehydrate, refuel and recover strength.

Meanwhile an international athlete in the amateurs at Multi Nations events and qualifiers for Europeans, Worlds or Olympics are often forced to weigh in each morning of competition ,fight four or five times in a week and often on successive days.

It is here that due to the faster pace and explosive bursts that injuries are more likely to happen so a proper phased preparation over a longer period is a necessity to peak at the right time and ensure maximum speed, endurance and technique to take home a medal and this underlines the main problem facing most athletes as they prepare for Tokyo.

While boxing faces a difficult period over the coming months, it is hoped the gyms can re-open in August without too many restrictions and for many young people, this will give them another opportunity to enjoy their sport, maybe become champions like Andy Murray, John Joe Nevin and Ceire Smith and go on to represent their club, county and Ireland at European, World, and Olympic Games.

Cavan BC will re-open at the earliest opportunity and as always there will be a warm welcome to all who come along to train or assist.