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Steve KimESPN
Three separate fight cards scheduled for March at the Casino of Montreal were cancelled Wednesday because of concerns over the coronavirus.
One card, featuring a middleweight contest between Steve Butler and Marcos Reyes, was scheduled for Thursday and was called off a few hours after the boxers had all weighed in.
Eye of the Tiger Management, which was promoting Thursday’s card as well as the one on March 14, said in a statement Wednesday night that the decision was made “following the recommendation of the Regional Directorate of Public Health of Montreal regarding the epidemiological risk of introduction and transmission of COVID-19.”
The company, which will said it will offer refunds to ticket buyers, had asked if it was possible to proceed with the fight card without the public in attendance, but that request was denied given the risks involved.
Other related events, including meet-and-greets with boxers such as David Lemieux and Arslanbek Makhmudov, have also been cancelled.
The third card, scheduled for March 21 and promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM), was to feature NABF women flyweight champion Kim Clavel.
Yvon Michel, the head of GYM, told ESPN that the Casino’s day-to-day activities are not affected, “only the boxing events that was held there because it was an event involving international participants.”
There is a major fight card scheduled for March 28 in Quebec City featuring unified light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev, who defends his WBC and IBF belts versus Fanlong Meng. Thus far, no determination has been made regarding that show.
“The decision belongs to the city of Quebec,” Michel told ESPN. “We believe we have taken the proper means to hold a safe event at the Videotron Center on March 28. For the moment the event is on. We are closely monitoring further developments and we will adapt accordingly.”
On Friday, there is a nationally-televised show from the Grand Casino in Hinckley, Minnesota, that will feature undefeated prospect Brandun Lee, who faces Camilo Prieto. A Showtime representative said that as of this moment, the card will proceed as planned.
The following night at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, Shakur Stevenson makes the first defense of his WBO featherweight title against Miguel Marriaga. A spokesperson for MSG said that card is still taking place.