Local pro boxing promoters may have to join hands to produce fights in these hard times.

Manila-based Elorde Boxing Promotions and Cebu’s Omega Boxing Promotions – two of the biggest outfits in the country – have signified interest in co-promoting fights.

“Puwede naman yun, actually ginagawa naman ito even before,” Liza Elorde told Manila Bulletin in a phone interview Monday. “Kami naman ang gusto namin is to help the boxers.

“Also, we want to continue yung legacy ni daddy,” referring to the legendary Gabriel “Flash” Elorde.

The Elordes have under their care 20 boxers and a few trainers in their stable who are affected by the lockdown.

READ: Amid COVID-19 pandemic, Elorde Sports Center hangs tough in these trying times

Julius Erving Junco, head trainer of the Omega Boxing Promotions, shares the same sentiments about having their boxers fight counterparts from Manila in a co-promoted event.

With that, he said, the promotions would be able to help the boxers financially.

“Possible naman na mangyari yun. Malaking bagay na naibalik na ang boxing, puwede na mag-training at puwede na din mag-hold ng event,” said Junco, adding that his boss, Pio Paulo Castillo III, is passionate in helping the boxers particularly in this pandemic period.

Through the Joint Administrative Order of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Department of Health (DOH) the sports of boxing, Muay Thai, kickboxing and MMA are now allowed under strict health protocols.

Elorde, however, said that one of the things that she would suggest to GAB, led by chairman Baham Mitra, is to increase the number of fights to 10, instead of the JAO-approved five.

“Hopefully madagdagan sana, kasi kung five kawawa naman yung ibang boxers,” said Elorde, pointing to the expenses the promoters need to shoulder, from hotels to swab testing of all the boxers and trainers, as well as officials.

READ: Tough times ahead for us, says former boxing champion Gerry Peñalosa

As for Omega, Junco said they hope to kick things off next month with five fights, which was originally set June 30 before Cebu reverted to Enhance Community Quarantine (ECQ) that forced them to postpone the event.

“Actually ready na kami at that time, pero nag-ECQ,” he said. “Now ang status is General Community Quarantine, and we’re hoping that by next week MGCQ na kami and pwede na kami maka-start.”

Junco said the idea is for Omega Promotions to hold a boxing event in a ‘bubble’ where the persons involved would enter after a 14-day quarantine. Once, inside the venue, swab testing will be performed before training begins leading up to fight night.