The Swine Flu outbreak continues to grow in several countries including the United States, Mexico, Canada, New Zealand, The United Kingdom, Israel and Spain.

The World Health Organization has raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 4, which indicates that it can spread from person to person causing outbreaks.

The Center of Disease Control issued a travel warning recommending that people avoid non-essential travel to Mexico. It is also prudent to avoid gathering in large groups to attend meetings in countries where there is an epidemic alert.

The WBA must be cognizant of the fact that this epidemic would definitely affect the sport of boxing and must consider the following possibilities:

Directors meetings and Conventions can be postponed or cancelled.

Boxing title fights can be affected, in that there would be decrease in spectator participation with the corresponding loss of financial gain for promoters. 

Accordingly, we have to put our thoughts together now and have a plan of action in the event that this epidemic should escalate.

Indeed, we will then be prepared to act suitably, with knowledgeable foresight.

Dr
Calvin Inalsingh

Medical Advisory Director, World Boxing Association