Boxing gives us 10 dos and don’ts for self-isolating

COVID-19 cabin fever has taken its toll on some of the stars of boxing.

It’s tough, right?

Being cooped up, twenty-four-seven takes its toll on all of us. The lack of sporting distraction makes it particularly challenging for us whose lives usually revolve around the unrivalled thrill of competition.

It’s hard for fighters too. Without their regimented routines and training schedules, some have improvised, and in the process, made headlines.

Either way, if you’re thriving or merely surviving, take note of these ten dos and don’ts of self-isolating:

Do be like Joseph Parker.

The New Zealand heavyweight has found his calling as a part-time comedian/actor during self-isolation. His takes on Hugh Grant’s infamous dance in Love Actually and “You’re The One That I Want” from Grease alongside his co-starring family have been a joy to behold.

The heavyweight division is full of characters; another has been unearthed over the past month.

Don’t be like Billy Joe Saunders.

The British super-middleweight star is no stranger to trouble, but his recent idea to film an instructional video advising men how to hit their female partners tops the lot.

Yes, it was designed as tongue-in-cheek, but the WBO champion must have been aware of how it could have been interpreted and the obvious ramifications.

The British Boxing Board of Control have decided to suspend Saunders’ boxing license pending a hearing.

Do be like Tyson Fury.

The heavyweight champion has been inviting viewers into his home each morning to join him in an exercise class alongside his wife, Paris, and an entourage of screaming mini-Furys.

Tyson has often cited how important regimented exercise and routine is to his mental health, so it’s good to see the big guy keeping active and entertained!

Don’t be like Martin Bakole.

On Instagram, the 15-1 heavyweight shared a video which appeared to be of child molestation. His defence was that he was attempting to draw attention to the video to seek justice against the perpetrators.

”My culture is to expose these nasty people,” Bakole claimed in a later post, with serious questions being raised over his possession of such video.

Do be like Anthony Fowler.

The Liverpudlian has received a huge amount of stick from the boxing community over the past couple of years, with the “Machine’s” arrogance seeing him transform into one of the heels of the super-welterweight division.

Despite this, you can’t fault Fowler’s recent pledge towards the NHS. The 13-1 fighter has offered to donate £500 to five NHS workers battling the COVID-19 virus in the UK.

Don’t be like Amir Khan.

The Briton has clearly let his mind run away with him over the past few weeks claiming that the Coronavirus is linked to 5G towers.

This tin-hat conspiracy fear-mongering from the former unified light-welterweight world champion is a dangerous road to tread down during a worrying time of such uncertainty.

”Do you not think it’s anything to do with that 5G in these towers that are going up? It’s a man-made thing. It’s been put there for a reason – while they test 5G. It might be for population control – get rid of a lot of us, especially when they say that it harms old people. Look at these towers at night-time that have been put up, then telling people not to go out.”

Ok, mate.

Do be like Caleb Truax.

The former super-middleweight world champion has put together his “COVID-classics” on Twitter, posting a new fight each day and giving us a rundown of his analysis.

Not exactly groundbreaking, but a nice introduction to some fights that may have slipped your net!

Don’t be like Glenn McCrory.

The former cruiserweight champion is getting itchy feet in lockdown, offering to fight Lucas Browne of all people once the pandemic passes.

“He couldn’t put the cat out,” McCrory claimed of the Australian heavyweight.

Is there more unlikely duo to get embroiled in Twitter trash-talk?! Who knows. Maybe there’s a past between these two – I certainly can’t be arsed to do much digging into that. Perhaps it’ll make a Netflix documentary in seven years.

Do be like Katie Taylor.

The “Bray Bomber” has been posting boxing circuit routines for her followers to replicate. You didn’t need telling this, but the unified lightweight champion is a machine; there were times when I assumed her Twitter videos had been set at 1.5x speed!

Don’t be like Scott Fitzgerald.

The British Boxing Board of Control suspended the boxing licence of the British super-welterweight champion following an incident last Monday.

The 28-year-old was taken into custody on suspicion of assault and would later claim on social media that it related to a “kick-off with my ex-partner and her family.”

“Fitzy” was subsequently re-arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of witness intimidation and breaching the conditions of his bail.

In all seriousness, keep calm and stay inside. We’ll all get through this together!