Feb. 28th Matchroom Italy show postponed due to “growing concerns” of coronavirus
Photo by Emanuele Cremaschi/Getty Images
Tickets will “remain valid” for the new date
The coronavirus moves to 2-0 (2 KO) against boxing shows this year. A month after scrapping Top Rank’s planned show in Haikou, China, the virus has claimed this Saturday’s Matchroom Italy show in Milan, which will be “rescheduled for a later date.”
Due to the growing concerns and outbreak of coronavirus - our event this Friday in Milan is postponed and will be rescheduled for new date
— Matchroom Boxing Italy (@Matchroom_IT) February 24, 2020
❕acquired tickets will remain valid for new date ❕ pic.twitter.com/8HoJljNk7u
Italy is currently the “worst-hit country in Europe,” recently suffering its fifth death among over 200 recorded infections. Boxing isn’t the only industry playing it safe; Armani elected to close its Milan Fashion Week show to the public and livestream instead over health concerns. It’s very likely that this is far from the last doomed event, especially with countries like Japan canceling large numbers of public gatherings.
The show was set to feature unbeaten super middleweight Daniele Scardina against Andrew Francillette for an IBF trinket in the main event, plus Maxim Prodan vs. Michele Esposito and Francesco Grandelli vs. former Oscar Valdez victim Carmine Tommasone. It will presumably have the same lineup once it finds a new date.