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The California State Athletic Commission gives the green light on boxing and MMA events to resume, amid the new restrictions imposed by the local government.
In mid-July, California governor Gavin Newsom ordered a second shutdown on bars, indoor dining, and other non-essential businesses due to a spike in COVID-19 cases. But on Thursday, the California State Athletic Commission gave the OK for boxing and MMA events to resume.
The Associated Press first reported the news (via ESPN).
Per the CSAC’s mandate, all participants, including officials, should be in a “quarantine bubble” during every event. Fans won’t be allowed to attend.
Commission head chair John Carvelli assured that they are following the necessary protocols to guarantee everyone’s safety.
“This is a tremendous safety and mitigation strategy,” Carvelli said in an official statement on Wednesday (via Boxingscene.com). “CSAC has developed tactics through this regulation that focus on prevention, testing, and, in the event of a positive COVID-19 test, isolation. CSAC is doing everything it can to ensure the likelihood of transmission is low.”
The last MMA event to take place in the state happened on March 7th with Gladiator Challenge’s “Best in the West.” As for boxing, Golden Boy Promotions held its first fight card on Friday night at Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino in Indio. Streamed via DAZN, the event was headlined by Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Samuel Vargas.