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How the major combat sports are fighting the coronavirus disruption

The two sports that currently maintain Las Vegas’ status as the fight capital of the world are handling the coronavirus pandemic in vastly different manners.

Mixed martial arts at the highest level is set to resume on Saturday, April 18, with UFC President Dana White having secured a secret location — reportedly an American Indian casino in California — for the locally based promotion’s planned UFC 249 pay-per-view. Boxing will not be following suit anytime soon, at least not from the perspective of the sport’s most veteran promoter.

“I think all the boxing promoters realize we’re in this together and we’ve got to cancel the events and keep them canceled until we get the all-clear from the governmental authorities,” said Bob Arum, Top Rank Boxing CEO/founder.