The first ever virtual purse bid hearing scheduled to take place has since been delayed—and likely canceled altogether.
A scheduled purse bid to determine promotional rights for the World Boxing Council interim lightweight title fight between Ryan Garcîa and Luke Campbell instead became an announcement to reveal that both sides have nearly finalized terms. For now, both sides have agreed to a seven-day extension, at which point a deal will likely be reached.
“I hate to disappoint the media on the Zoom call but we are going to delay the bid for seven days,” Eddie Hearn, managing director of Matchroom Boxing and Campbell’s promoter revealed during the virtual session held via Zoom on Tuesday. “It looks like we have a deal.”
The claim was validated by his promotional counterpart.
“We have a deal in principle,” confirmed Eric Gomez, president of Golden Boy Promotions whom promotes Garcîa.
The interim title fight was ordered in July, shortly after Victorville, California’s Garcîa (20-0, 17KOs) accepted the WBC’s invitation to enter talks with England’s Campbell (20-3, 16KOs). The two sides were given 30 days to negotiate terms or else be subject to a purse bid hearing.
Hearn revealed on Monday that the two sides were close and was hoping for an extension. The WBC wasn’t quite ready to accommodate that request, instead eager to present the first-ever virtual purse bid hearing. The decision to hold it via Zoom in lieu of an in-person session at company headquarters in Mexico City due to travel restrictions and health concerns given the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The global health crisis is also the only thing preventing Garcîa and Campbell from moving forward for such an event. A determination as to whether it will take place in the United States or the United Kingdom will come about once it’s known when fans can once again partake in such events.
It’s a plan that works for the WBC as long as it works for all other involved parties.
“This is what the world needs now. People need to work together,” Mauricio Sulaiman, president of the WBC declared upon accepting the request to extend the session by another week. “The WBC fully supports this extension and this fight.”
The winner of the forthcoming showdown between García and Campbell will be next in line to challenge reigning lightweight titlist Devin Haney (24-0, 15KOs).
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox