Coronavirus: Hennessy Sports to proceed with events, Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez bout in doubt

Joe HewlettJoe Hewlett14 March 2020
Covid-19

Covid-19

Promoter Hennessy Sports are closely monitoring the situation surrounding the outbreak of Coronavirus (Covid-19) and will take any steps in line with Government guidance.

Hennessy Sports are proceeding with two forthcoming events:
Saturday 28th March at the Coventry Skydome headlined by Shakan Pitters versus Chad Sugden for the British Light-Heavyweight Championship

Saturday 25th April at the National Sports Centre, Crystal Palace, headline by Samir Ziani versus Alex Dilmaghani for the European Super-Featherweight Championship

 Tickets remain on sale for both events, but should sporting events be postponed or cancelled due to Government advice, then tickets can be transferred to the new date or refunds will be available from the original point of purchase.

Canelo-Saunders in doubt

Their announcement comes following the postponement by Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions for upcoming fights.

“This morning, we were informed by the California State Athletic Commission that all combative sports events have been canceled for the month of March,” said Golden Boy Promotions head Oscar De La Hoya, who has now put a stop to cards on the 19th and 28th of this month.
“We will work with state and local officials,” he added, “as well as our venue and broadcast partners to determine the best course of action with respect to these and other upcoming events.” 

A source has told Boxing365 that the fight between Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and Billy Joe Saunders is in limbo due to the coronavirus outbreak and will more than likely be rescheduled from its original May 2 date.

If the fight does eventually get confirmed then Canelo will be looking to win the second world title at 168-pounds after beating another Englishman in Rocky Fielding on his DAZN debut.
Saunders, who'll be in camp with Ben Davison before working with Jimmy Tibbs on the night due to Josh Taylor fighting on the same night, will make the second defence of his WBO strap and is set to receive his highest payday on record.

His biggest wins are over Chris Eubank Jr., Andy Lee and David Lemieux but 'Superb' will have to produce something we haven't seen from him before if he is to get victory over the Pound for Pound superstar. Canelo's resume is getting better and better after defeating Sergey Kovalev to become a four-division champion. 
The Mexican has victories over four British fighters already with stoppage wins against Amir Khan, Liam Smith, Ryan Rhodes and Fielding and his only defeat in 54 fights is against Floyd Mayweather.