Coronavirus wipes out events for these Wigan boxers

James Moorcroft, Rhiannon Dixon, Adam Ridge, Kyle Lomotey and Andrew Fleming have been directly affected after they were all scheduled to fight on either March 21 or April 4.

After making a careful consideration of how coronavirus has been sweeping the nation, VIP Boxing Promotions and Contender VIP have postponed their upcoming events and are planning to schedule their shows at a later date.

This news will receive little surprise given how coronavirus has shut down most of the country’s sporting activities over the last week.

While it is extremely disappointing for each boxer to have their comebacks delayed, it is completely understandable as the British Boxing Board of Control look to protect boxers, trainers and spectators from contracting this disease.

James Moorcroft, who was looking forward to return to winning ways on Saturday March 21 after his defeat in Glasgow, expressed that he will be ticking over for whenever his fight is rearranged.

“As a team, we are all gutted that the fight has been cancelled as we’ve all put every inch of our efforts into this as we always do," he said.

“We are down but not out and we will keep going and training hard until this all blows over. I would like to say thank-you to my team and Blundell's Boxing Gym for always being there and we will stick together through this as we always do.

“Thank you all so much for your support in buying tickets and supporting me and I’m sorry the show is not happening. I will get your money back to you as soon as possible.”

Adam Ridge, who was scheduled to make his long awaited boxing return this weekend after a 15-months absence, couldn’t hide his disappointment after finding out the news..

“Gutted is an understatement but I’ve just been informed this morning that my fight has been cancelled this weekend," he said.

“It’s been a long 15 months out of the ring and there was nothing more I was looking forward to than moving to 7-0 on Saturday!

“I’ve had a top training camp leading up to this fight and I’ve been in the best space mentally too. But sometimes set backs happen in life.”

Meanwhile, Andrew Fleming, who was scheduled to fight on April 4 at Lancashire County Ground, emphasised that health is top priority amid the coronavirus.

“Absolutely gutted but the fights aren’t cancelled just postponed until further notice," he said.

It’s completely understandable with all the panic about coronavirus at the minute, health is the most important thing!

“I’ll still be ticking over and will be more than ready as soon as a date is confirmed.”