‘I’d fight in my back garden and pay for the privilege,’ says frustrated boxer Jack Bateson

Jack Bateson (11 (3)-0 record), from Leeds, and Michael Fafera (6 (2)-0), from York, both acknowledge that, while it would not be ideal, fighting without fans at a venue would be better than not boxing at all.

Bateson and Fafera had both been scheduled to fight at the Elland Road Pavilion in early April, but the event was called off after the British Boxing Board of Control announced that all shows were to be cancelled.

It was a particularly tough pill to swallow for Bateson after his previous fight against Michael Ramabeletsa for the English super-bantamweight title last October was also scrapped, after the Leeds man suffered a hand injury.

When asked about whether he would fight behind-closed-doors, Bateson said: “I’d fight in the back garden!

“I’ve sparred for most of my life in an empty gym with just my coach, a sparring partner and then their coach, so it wouldn’t be a problem for me.”

Fafera, known in the ring as ‘The Problem’, has also had a promising start to his professional career and he, too, was disappointed by the April cancellation.

However, Fafera has been using the free time in lockdown to get fighting fit if the call comes on short notice and when asked about boxing in an empty arena, he said: “Fighting behind- closed-doors will be very tricky for boxers and promoters like myself and Mark Bateson.

“But I would be more than happy to fight behind-closed-doors. It’s not ideal but it’s all a learning curve and I miss boxing so I’d take anything right now.”

Mark Bateson is Jack’s father but also his and Fafera’s promoter. He has a host of Yorkshire fighters in his stable and he keeps a keen eye on his son.

“He’s on my case every day, asking when I’m training. I’m lucky to have him,” the younger Bateson said with a smile.

There has been talk in the boxing world that behind-closed-doors fights and the subsequent lack of ticket revenue would lead to fighters’ purses being affected.

For Fafera and Bateson, though, they understand that these are unprecedented times.

“We can’t expect the promoters to just lose money by trying to keep us active,” said Bateson.

“They’re doing us a favour. I’d happily fight for free. In fact, I think in this situation I’d even think about paying a few quid to get a fight, just to get going again.”

The eagerness to get back in the ring and continue their encouraging progress in the paid ranks is sure to stand both men in good stead.

One of Fafera’s valuable learning experiences came in his last victory, when he was knocked down before showing guts to get up and secure a points victory.

Post-fight, the man from York accepted he was looking for the knockout too much.

Fafera said: “I always want to put on a good show and finish my opponents in style.”

When asked if a behind-closed-doors fight would change his tactics, he replied: “There’s only one way to find out.”

It remains unclear when Bateson and Fafera will be able to get back to doing what they love and whether they will be able to do it in front of their fans.

But what is clear is that, empty venue or not, this pair just want to get back fighting again and climbing the rankings.