SEVERAL combat sports fighters in York have seen their next contests postponed as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Professional boxers George Davey, Michael Fafera and Mitchell Barton all had bouts scheduled up until the beginning of May, but these will now take place at a later date.

Davey and Barton, who both train out of Henry’s Gym in Acomb under the guidance of York boxing legend Henry Wharton, were set to feature on Saturday, May 2.

The pair had been placed on the undercard of the super lightweight world title fight between Josh Taylor and Apinun Khongsong at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow.

The show was set to be promoted by Davey and Barton’s promoter Frank Warren’s Queensbury Promotions company.

In a statement on their website, Queensbury said: “Following the guidelines and advisory measures announced by both the Government and the British Boxing Board of Control, Queensberry Promotions feel it would be inappropriate to proceed with any forthcoming Boxing promotions in front of live audiences during April and May.

“The Coronavirus situation is evolving rapidly and we will continue to follow the Government’s guidelines to ensure the Health and Safety of the paying public, staff and the participants.”

They added: “Refunds are available from the point of purchase.”

Reacting on the news of the cancellation of his fight, Davey said: "I had a feeling that it was coming. In one way I was happy when they announced it, because I knew that it was coming.

"I didn't want to keep on training and getting myself in tip-top condition only for it to get cancelled so I would have rather they have done it earlier on.

"Obviously, I'm not happy about the scenario because I'd rather have a fight than not.

"But, for health and safety reasons, they've taken the best action they could."

Davey is currently in Lanzarote, where he travelled to visit his family.

Despite being house-bound at the moment, he's still eager to keep in shape.

"All that I can do at the minute is home workouts," he said. "I can't go into the gym but I have got a punch bag so I can keep training to some extent.

"Obviously, I won't be going crazy with my food and I won't be gaining too much weight.

"At the same time, I don't want to over-train either. All that I can do now is tick over and keep in shape.

"I've texted Henry and he's said that we're going to come up with a plan.

"He said that there may possibly be a rescheduling of the fight for July so fingers crossed that that goes ahead.

Fights that go ahead are a key source of income for many professional boxers, including Davey.

He said: "Financially speaking, sponsors have helped me out massively and I can't thank them enough.

"I would be open to do doing a few days labouring too, to help with cash flow too, so we'll see."

Elsewhere, light heavyweight Fafera's fight at the Elland Road Pavilion in Leeds on Friday, April 3 - his seventh contest in the paid ranks - has been cancelled.

And, former York City Knights player Ash Robson, who preparing for his Thai boxing debut on March 28 in Newcastle, will no longer be fighting.