The coronavirus outbreak has wiped boxing clear of any bouts scheduled through April at the very least.
During an interview with Sky Sports on Tuesday, Eddie Hearn acknowledged that the spread of COVID-19 could even affect Anthony Joshua putting his world unified heavyweight titles on the line against Kubrat Pulev in June. Joshua's mandatory defense of his titles was originally slated for June 20 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, but Hearn said that could change due to the global pandemic.
"For the Anthony Joshua fight, already potential plans to move that fight back to July," the Matchroom Boxing USA president said. "We do have a potential date for that, but right now, hoping June 20 can remain the date."
After defeating Andy Ruiz Jr. in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, in December to regain his unified heavyweight crown, Joshua mandated that his next fight be back in London. When the fight was originally scheduled earlier this month, Joshua spoke with excitement about returning to London.
“I’m back in my home city after some time away," Joshua said in a press release. "A spectacular stadium has been built in North London and I’m honored to bring the boxing community from all over the world to witness us make history with the stadium’s first heavyweight world title fight. The belts go back up in the air and nothing will stop me from being victorious.”
Prior to saying that the Joshua-Pulev fight could be pushed back, Hearn announced Tuesday that all of Matchroom's events through April have been postponed.