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BOX-FRAMPTON-GBR-HEALTH
Boxing could take years to recover from virus mayhem: Frampton
LONDON, April 11, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Former world champion Carl
Frampton fears boxing could take “months or possibly years” to recover
from the damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Frampton believes once boxing returns sports fans will be cautious
about spending money due to the financial impact of the pandemic.
The Northern Irish fighter also expects people to be slow to return
to stadiums in case there is still a risk of catching the virus.
Frampton, a former super-bantamweight and featherweight world
champion, is also concerned fellow boxers in the lower levels will be
forced out if prize money drops.
“It might take a long time to recover. I’m talking months and
possibly years away from getting it back to what it once was,”
Frampton told BBC Radio Five Live on Saturday.
“In my position most of the money and the purse I received comes
from TV, but there are guys fighting on non-televised shows that need
bums on seats and need to sell tickets to make a living.
“If people are apprehensive about large gatherings and these guys
aren’t going to be able to sell their tickets, or if people can’t
afford to buy them because they’ve lost their job or for other
reasons.
“I think it’s going to change a lot once we come out the other side of this.”
Frampton, 33, echoed a suggestion from Tyson Fury’s promoter Bob
Arum about the likely need to reduce the cost of tickets to encourage
fight fans to return.
“I’m glad that a promoter has said that. The UK ticket prices are
astronomical compared to America. It’s definitely something that needs
to be thought about,” Frampton said.
“If you suddenly put a fight on once this is all over how are people
going to afford it if the pricing isn’t reasonable?”
Frampton was preparing for a planned world title bout against WBO
super-featherweight champion Jamel Herring slated for mid-June, but
there is no new date for the clash.
BSS/AFP/MRU/1923hrs