Daniel Dubois vs Joe Joyce gets big boost for October 24 as Boris Johnson announces plan for fans to return to stadiums

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that the government intend to allow fans to attend sporting events in stadiums again from October.

This provides a big boost to UK boxing promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren, both of whom are hoping to resume big arena shows for that month.

Hearn is planning Lee Selby vs George Kambosos Jr on October 3 in Cardiff and Lewis Ritson vs Miguel Vazquez on October 17 in Newcastle.

Warren has rescheduled his blockbuster between Daniel Dubois and Joe Joyce for October 24 in London.

The clash of unbeaten heavyweights for the European and British titles was originally due to take place on April 11, before being pushed back by the coronavirus pandemic.

When confirming the rearranged date, Warren said: "We all want the fight to take place in October and we are hopeful that the government will give us the all-clear."

Subject to the success of pilot events, this is exactly what the government plans to happen.

The Prime Minister said: “From August 1, we will reopen most remaining leisure settings, namely bowling, skating rings, casinos and we will enable close contact services, beauticians to resume.

“Nightclubs, soft play areas – sadly – need to remain closed for now, although this will be kept under review.

“We will restart indoor performances to a live audience, subject to the success of pilots, and we will also pilot larger gatherings in venues like sport stadia, with a view to a wider reopening in the autumn...

"From October, we intend to bring back audiences in stadia and to allow conferences and other business events to recommence.

"Again, these changes must be done in a COVID secure way, subject to the successful outcome of pilots."

He concluded: “It is my strong and sincere hope that we will be able to review the outstanding restrictions and allow a more significant return to normality from November, at the earliest, possibly in time for Christmas.”

Dubois and Joyce will return in separate fights over the coming weeks before facing off on October 24.

Joyce meets Michael Wallisch on July 25 and Dubois faces Erik Pfeifer on August 29.