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BIBA Issue Guidelines Ahead of
Proposed ‘Behind Closed Doors’ Events
Source: PR/BIBA
May 16, 2020 |
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(MAY 16) Earlier yesterday,
May 15th, the British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA) Vice
President Gianluca Di Caro issued guidelines ahead of proposed
‘Behind Closed Doors’ Events for Live Broadcast sanctioned by
the organisation.
The first event is set to take place at Northern Hotel in
Aberdeen, once the Scottish Parliament authorise the return to
business for Sporting Events, albeit Behind Closed Doors, which
is currently expected to be either in late June or early July.
The first event is co-headlined by returning former WBO World
Champion Scott Harrison versus PBC International Champion Paul
Peers and a Heavyweight contest between Danny Williams, most
famous for his victory over Mike Tyson, against PBC
International Champion Lee Kellett.
Main support will see former 10 times World Kickboxing Champion
Caitlin Foran making her Pro Boxing Debut against Carly
Mackenzie.
Two further contests will feature on the card, the first sees
unbeaten Gary Wilson (3-0-0) in action against Liverpool’s Scott
McIntyre (4-1-0) and local lad Liam Allan will be making his
professional debut against Southend’s Dan Ballard.
Whilst no date has yet been announced yet, the event will be
broadcast live on Fite TV (worldwide) as well as delayed
broadcast in the UK on Sports Channel Network (SCN) Channel 266
on Freeview/YouView.
As stated above Mr Di Caro earlier made a statement on the
guidelines for the proposed Behind Closed Doors events, at which
he said.
“The United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a
statement earlier this week, regarding possible changes to the
current regulations with regard to the current restrictions
during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We urge everyone who can work from home to continue to do so,
only those whose jobs are deemed essential or within the sectors
as stated by the UK Government statement should be traveling to
work. Please note: These lifting of restrictions only apply in
England, the Stay at Home restrictions currently still apply in
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
“According to Government guidelines Gyms are NOT deemed
essential at this point, though state that gyms may be able to
reopen in July, so I urge people to be responsible and maintain
the current rules regarding exercise.
“The same applies to travel, if you can avoid public transport
please do - Drive, Bike or Walk if you need to go out, and those
that have no option but travel on public transport please cover
your face and nose and wear surgical gloves - and most
importantly WASH YOUR HANDS properly for a minimum of twenty
seconds regularly and carry/use hand sanitiser.
“The Government plan with regard to ‘Behind Closed Doors’ events
is currently stating possibly from June 1st 2020, subject to
infection and death levels continuing to be on the downward
curve, however we do not anticipate returning to the business of
sanctioning events until late June or early July earliest.
“We already have the venue sorted for the first event, which is
a hotel so all in attendance will be contained within a single
location.
“We have doctors, paramedics and specialist medics arranged as
well as private ambulances and even an Air Ambulance in case we
are unable to use the local NHS hospital and we need to transfer
any head trauma cases to a private neurology facility within 40
minutes flight time.
“All ‘behind closed doors’ events will be limited to a maximum
of FIVE (5) contests per event and limited to a maximum of SIX
(6) rounds.
“The only officials in attendance at an event will be the
Referee, Supervisor and Time Keeper.
"Officials level may be reduced further when possible to just
Referee and Supervisor, in the cases where the Supervisor is
also a qualified Time Keeper.
"PPE will be worn throughout the event by the ringside officials
and others in attendance and the Referee must wear a mask and
surgical gloves when officiating a contest.
“It should also be noted that we will be limiting the level of
corner men to TWO (2) maximum per Boxer, Cornermen will be
required to wear full PPE throughout the contest.
“Also please note: That standard spit buckets will not be
allowed, instead we recommend two enclosed containers along with
funnel and tube. Once a contest is concluded and prior to next
contest the container will be sealed and the tube and funnel
disinfected before reuse.
"Each competing boxer will be required to wear a surgical-mask
which may only be removed once he or she has entered the ring.
“There will be FULL Personal Protection Equipment as well as
hand sanitiser available for all in attendance at the events and
we will be undertaking testing ahead of the events for all
people taking part as well as regular taking of temperatures of
those in attendance at the venue.
“Rapid result testing will be undertaken at the venue, Professor
Graham provides information regarding testing below.
“HOWEVER whilst the plan is in place for ‘behind closed doors’
events for TV for when the restrictions are lifted,
provisionally from 1st June, we cannot see these taking place,
even with the precautionary practices we have applied during the
COVID-19 pandemic, before mid to late June 2020 and possibly
later as the BIBA policy for ‘getting back to business’ is that
until the infection and death rates are drastically reduced the
British & Irish Boxing Authority will NOT even consider giving
permission for these events to go ahead, in order to protect the
NHS as well as those participating at the events.
“Our reasoning for this is whilst infection and death rates are
lower than those even just one week ago, both the infection and
death rates in the past week are still too high to safely
consider returning to business as normal.
“Myself personally will be continuing to observe the long
standing ‘Stay at Home’ and ‘Social Distancing’ advice and urge
all BIBA members to do the same wherever possible.
“I will now hand over to the British & Irish Boxing Authority’s
Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Graham to discuss
testing, this includes pre all events.”
Professor M.R. Graham MBChB; JCPTGP; PhD; FRSM; MPhysoc; BASEM;
MICR; MCSFS; PCCMH; APIL Expert; FSB
Chief Medical Officer (CMO)
British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA)
“Testing will be mandatory for everyone in attendance at an
event.
“BIBA are fully qualified to provide the Corona Virus tests to
determine immune status and infection status at the next
available contest on all Boxers and associated coaching and
training staff and attendees.
“BIBA has accredited Forensic Scientists, to conduct SARS-Co
V-2, (COVID-19) Antibody Tests, using the BioMedomics COVID-19
IgM/IgG Rapid Test Kits.
“The testing kits are manufactured by BioMedomics and
distributed by Oxford Biosystems and are MHRA, EU and FDA
accredited testing kits available in the UK.
“The tests can be conducted at any residence or venue.”
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