Nicaragua To Hold Boxing Event With Fans This Weekend

By Fight Sports Apr 23, 2020 Last updated Apr 24, 2020

Despite concerns regarding the coronavirus pandemic, one boxing entity will bring the sport back this weekend.

Inside the Alexis Arguello Sports Center in Managua, Nicaragua, Bufalo Boxing Promotions will be promoting a main event featuring Ramiro Blanco v. Robin Zamora. Promotor Rosendo Alvarez has told ESPN that fans will be in attendance, but they will be required to keep one meter of distance between one another. Additionally, latex gloves and masks will be given to the commissioners, doctors and trainers.

“Here in Nicaragua, there is no quarantine,” Alvarez stated. “The government of Nicaragua and the Minister of Health have made a great effort so that the pandemic did not leave a mark on this country.”

ESPN Knockout will be broadcasting it all in Latin America, with ESPN Deportes showcasing the main card at 11 p.m. ET.

This is much different compared to how the rest of the sports world is handling the coronavirus pandemic. Several boxing events have been postponed, with June as a potential date for events to return. Matchroom Boxing is the only promotion to have events on the calendar, while Top Rank and Premier Boxing Champions have no set dates for shows. Alvarez has insisted that the health and safety of everyone involved is the priority heading into the event.

“As a promoter of boxing, we have the responsibility to provide all the fans who go to the event with the necessary conditions for their safety,” Alvarez went on to say. “We will measure the temperature of the participants, commissioners and fans; there will be alcohol in gel, soap, water — the facilities are suitable for this event, and we will prioritize the safety and health of all.”

Blanco (18-7-3) has lost four fights in a row dating back to 2018. His last win was a unanimous decision over Moises Castro. Zamora (15-7) is coming off of a win against Blanco back in October. He is 3-3 in his last six fights.

According to John Hopkins University, Nicaragua only has 11 cases of the coronavirus, with eight coming from outside the country. In total, there are over 2,682,225 cases of the virus.