Boxing was set to return to Texas for the first time in months this week, but the first card in the state has been moved to another date.
There was a card in Houston originally set to take place on June 5, the first such card in the United States after the coronavirus pandemic forced the sport of boxing to temporarily suspend events months ago. However, Fightful has learned that show has since then been rescheduled to July 3.
The decision comes after the Texas Combative Sports Program decided to postpone the show as the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation stated it is continuing to reevaluate when to allow combat sporting events in the state. The TDLR also told Fightful that it has sent recommendations for reopening protocols to the Governor’s Strike Force to Open Texas and are waiting for Governor Greg Abbott’s decision on when combative sports will be added to the businesses permitted to restart.
It should be noted that a number of combat sporting events are also listed on the Texas Combative Sports website, but those events could potentially be rescheduled as well as there is no firm date on when events can re-start.
The state has allowed promoters to sign up for dates, with the understanding that Abbott and the Strike Force will have final say in when events can actually return. However, when it comes to protocols regarding COVID-19 testing or doing shows closed off to the public, Fightful was told that a number of different scenarios are being explored, but any specific plans that would be used are unknown at this time.
According to Boxrec, the event was going to feature a number of fights, including Josue Morales (11-11-4) vs. Francisco Manuel Guerra (4-5-1) and Ivan Vazquez (5-0) vs. Daniel Lopez (3-0). Other fighters on the card include Bre'yon Gorham (4-0), Tyrone Selders (9-14-1) and Kasimu Yakubu (1-1).
June is expected to be the return of boxing in the United States. One major promotional company that will run boxing events soon is Top Rank as the Nevada State Athletic Commission approved boxing shows at the MGM Grand to start on June 9 with multiple shows running throughout the month and airing on ESPN platforms.
