Russell Newton is just glad his boxers can get back in the ring.
There was a time where the Gore Boxing Tournament this weekend looked in doubt.
It was originally scheduled for April, but was postponed due to Covid-19.
Now, up to 12 amateur fights will take place at the Gore Town Country Club on Saturday.
“Having the tournament is a huge relief,” coach Newton said.
“[It’s] giving the guys the opportunity in front of a crowd, and the Gore crowd its always appreciative and [has] got their backs.
“It’s being able to put it on for the public as well, because they do support us and just getting out there long wait.
“It needs to happen. These boxers haven’t boxed.”
Athletes were travelling from Wellington, Christchurch, Timaru and Invercargill, and there were five boxers from Gore.
Spectator tables had not been sold this year, as it was unknown which Covid-19 alert level New Zealand would be in.
“With Covid hanging over us we’ve been sort of dubious as to how it would pan out.
“We didn’t sell tables like we normally do because at Level 2 we wouldn’t have been able to have a crowd.
“We still would’ve had the boxing tournament, because the tournament’s about the boxers, so it would have been put on with no crowd.”
The tournament would now have a crowd and there would be door sales from 6pm, he said.
