On Saturday, after a month of hiatus throughout the boxing universe, 800 spectators will occupy their seats to attend an evening of professional boxing in Managua, also broadcast live to Latin America and the United States by the ESPN network. "Fans will not sit together, we will ask them to respect at least one meter of safety distance. In addition, coaches, doctors and judges must protect themselves with masks and latex gloves," confirmed the promoter of the fight.

Nicaragua, the only country along with Belarus where elite soccer has not stopped, now intends to offer boxing a new example of apparent normality in the face of the pandemic. Since March 18, the Government has only recognized 11 positive cases and three deaths from Covid-19. Last week, President Daniel Ortega assured that "90% of public hospitals" had "all the resources to care" for patients.

In this way, the Alexis Argüello Gym in Managua will become the only place of professional boxing on the planet. Its normal capacity, planned for 8,000 spectators, will be reduced to 10%, according to Búfalo Boxing Promotions, the company led by Rosendo 'Búfalo' Álvarez, which will distribute the tickets totally free.

Hand washing and sole cleaning

"We are going to measure the temperature of the boxers, commissioners and fans. We will supply alcohol in gel, soap or water," said Alvarez, who in 2001 was proclaimed World Champion of Flyweight by the World Boxing Association in Las Vegas.

The measures also include the mandatory use of masks in the stands, hand washing inside the facilities and cleaning the soles of the shoes before entering the premises. "We will prioritize the safety and health of all," added Álvarez, after his joint work with Juan Alberto Molinares, president of the Nicaraguan Boxing Commission.

Argüello's legacy

Although far from powers like Mexico, Cuba, Colombia or Panama, Nicaragua also has a certain tradition in boxing. Alexis Argüello, the boxer after whom the Managua Sports Center is named, was its greatest figure after donning three belts of world champion in light weight between 1974 and 1982. This Saturday, the evening will be broadcast live on ESPN Knock Out, a program that the American audience will be able to tune in through ESPN +.

Thus, at seven in the afternoon local time, the first of the eight fights scheduled in Managua will begin. The star dish, at the super flyweight, will star Ramiro Blanco and Robin Zamora. The second most interesting fight will pit Freddy Fonseca against Alain Aguilar at lightweight. All obviously of Nicaraguan nationality.

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