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EOTTM has put several measures in place to protect boxers in Shawinigan.
For Camille Estephan, the gala presented on Saturday evening at the Center Gervais Auto was the culmination of several months of work and negotiations with the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux and Public Health.
The patience of the boss of Eye of the Tiger Management (EOTTM) was strained during the process. That of his lawyer Anthony Rudman also.
Saturday, in Shawinigan, we witnessed a real tour de force. Without the relentlessness and determination of Estephan and Rudman, professional boxing could not have been revived for several more months.
At some point in this long process, Public Health even hinted that a boxing gala would not be possible until a vaccine against COVID-19 arrived. Estephan found the right arguments to convince them.
The twenty-page protocol covers all possible aspects of a boxing event.
Here are some measures including the Journal of Montreal witnessed on Saturday evening:
The six main health measures
Confinement
All the boxers and their coaches had to comply with a 14-day confinement, including four at the hotel, before the fight. After their duel, they will have another confinement to do, but of 10 days. This means that they will not be able to resume their activities before October 21.
Daily monitoring
Every day of their confinement, participants of the mini-bubble at the gym, including training partners, were required to complete a questionnaire to find out if they have symptoms of COVID-19.
Tests
Photo courtesy, Vincent Ethier / EOTTM
For this first, Eye of the Tiger Management has decided to do a single test, when participants arrive at the hotel. The costs of the fifteen tests, carried out in a private laboratory, were borne by the promoter Camille Estephan.
Workouts
The boxers were able to attend their usual gymnasium. At the hotel, conference rooms have been set up so that they can train in complete safety.
Sanitization
Photo courtesy, Vincent Ethier / EOTTM
The ring was cleaned and sanitized between each fight. The same goes for the locker room where the boxers put their bandages on their hands. A changing room rotation system has also been put in place.
Media
A small number of journalists have been accredited for the gala. Upon arrival, they filled out a questionnaire about their state of health. They were also entitled to a temperature measurement. Inside, they were placed two meters apart. Wearing a mask was compulsory unless the journalist wanted to eat or drink. The press conferences were held in a room where social distancing was respected between journalists and athletes.
