Covid-19 has forced sport into many changes – some of them should stay

In boxing, competition is fierce right now – with more potential than ever before to attract a wider audience, writes Jack Rathborn

David Avanesyan celebrates his victory over Josh Kelly (Dave Thompson)

The Covid-19 pandemic has forced change around the world and sport is no different, with bubble boxing continuing to show signs of evolution.

Last weekend’s thrilling action at Wembley Arena saw a relentless David Avanesyan overwhelm a bloodied Josh Kelly in one of the best cards since sport was turned upside down by coronavirus.

The classy Russian has operated at world level before and Kelly is a distinguished amateur, but neither headliner nor any of the fighters on the undercard are household names or automatic viewing.

Instead, promoter Eddie Hearn compiled a card that brought variety, uncertainty and, most importantly, entertainment.

Quite how long this endeavour continues after Hearn’s primary boxer of the night suffered an upset for the second successive week, following Josh Warrington’s crushing loss to Mauricio Lara, remains to be seen.

But with his grip on British boxing never stronger and his involvement with Canelo Alvarez – the sport’s biggest star, who is back this weekend in Miami – Hearn can afford to take risks and discard the often-seen patient approach with fighters, with some criticising his decision to let Kelly sink or swim in just his 12th professional outing.

Competition is fierce right now with more potential than ever before to attract a wider audience and it was refreshing to see a card limited to just five fights, providing fans with a more defined time commitment than the “stacked” bills that can flirt with the early hours of the morning.

Again, risk and reward is the theme of boxing in this unprecedented era, with lively opponents flown in and capable of leaving the hopes and dreams of once bright prospects in pieces. Robbie Davies Jr was a victim of this when he was knocked down and outworked by a hungry Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela.

While this added dynamic will fill trainers and managers with trepidation, promoters and fans will argue that the balance is better this way. Thrills, spills and the devastating nature of the purest of sports have all been on display of late and long may it continue.

Yours,

Jack Rathborn

Assistant sports editor