California Thanks the UFC for Showing the Way; Is Boxing Next?

Boxing and its many entities can thank UFC for shedding light on producing a fight show and showing the potential risks said the California State Athletic Commission on Monday.

“We’re benefiting a lot from UFC, what worked and what did not,” said CSAC Executive Director Andy Foster.

Last Saturday the Ultimate Fighting Championship held a fight card in Florida and at least three participants were tested and shown to be carriers of the Covid-19 virus. It was discovered during testing provided by UFC.

On Monday morning, May 11, the CSAC held a meeting and anyone interested in discussing UFC’s fight card and the possibilities of California holding future fight cards could participate or watch the proceedings via the ZOOM app. More than 80 people took part in the meeting.

Top of the list was UFC’s fight card and the results:

A prizefighter Ronaldo Souza arrived at the MMA fight card along with his cornermen and after being tested was discovered to be infected with the coronavirus. His cornermen was also were tested and they also were found to be infected.

UFC’s event proved that testing the fighters days before they arrive is necessary too, said Dr. Paul Wallace who is chairman of medical advisory committee for CSAC.

“Taking the test 48 hours before is what is most important. And when you get there you would get another test,” said Wallace who was first appointed ringside physician for the CSAC in 1989. “The problem with UFC is there was no testing before.”

That proved to be a hole in the UFC protocol that will now hopefully be avoided by that company and other fight promoters in the future.

“Our protocol is that everyone has already been tested and then will get verification of that upon arrival at the venue,” added Wallace about CSAC’s future plans when doors are open for boxing and MMA fight cards. The costs for Covid-19 tests run up to $150 per person.

Nothing has been firmly established by CSAC on who will pay the costs and how many tests will be taken. Nor how many people will be allowed in a venue or what size the venue will be.

Everything is open for discussion and analysis.

California regularly has more fight cards than any other state. It’s big business and both boxing and MMA put on multiple shows almost every week.

All California entertainment venues are currently closed under order by Governor Gavin Newsom. They will remain closed until further notice.

CSAC intends to look at all of the potential risks and prepare a plan once the green light is given by Governor Newsom.

“Somebody went first and we’re learning what happened and what went right. We’re starting to put together a plan so when the governor announces the opening we will have a plan,” said Foster. “We are not ready just yet.”

No future dates have been mentioned for boxing’s potential return.

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