DONEGAL boxer Brett McGinty has described himself as ‘absolutely gutted’ after his planned professional debut was postponed.
The St Johnston man was due to be in action for the first time as a pro this Saturday night in Bolton.
Donegal’s newest pro was slated for a four-round clash with Alexander Zeledon at the Bolton Whites Hotel.
However, following measures introduced yesterday by the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, the VIP Promotions show has been pulled.
“I’m absolutely gutted,” McGinty told Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub.
“I was expecting it over the last few days. Everything seems to be getting cancelled.
“It’s a big sickener for me because I’ve been waiting long and hard for this fight.”
Johnson urged the British public to avoid all unnecessary contact and travel and staying away from pubs and theatres.
He said that all mass gatherings requiring emergency workers are something ‘we are now moving emphatically away from’.
Other high profile sporting events were cancelled yesterday, including the Grand National and the Boat Race while English football is on lockdown and Rugby Union’s Premiership was yesterday suspended for the next five weeks.
The British Boxing Board of Control said: “All public tournaments under the jurisdiction of the British Boxing Board of Control are unfortunately cancelled. Further consideration of the matter will take place at the beginning of April.
“We have a number of requests for tournaments to be held behind closed doors however, the practicality and logistics will be considered fully following advice from Board Medical Officers.”
McGinty, a former eight-time Irish champion who won Commonwealth Youth silver and European Schoolboys bronze medals, turned pro in late September.
He signed with the Los Angeles-based management company, Sheer Sports Management, who also have Donegal middleweight Jason Quigley and fellow Irish boxers Aaron McKenna, Stevie McKenna and James Power in their stable.
The Oakleaf ABC graduate has been training under former multiple world champion Ricky Hatton in Manchester.
He said: “I just have to wait for my chance again. It’s very disappointing because I was feeling sharp and the fight was a long time in coming.”
