An international boxing event formerly linked to MTK was cancelled at the weekend after police attended following reports of a gun in the building.
The Lonsdale Box Cup saw amateur boxers from across Europe flock to Glasgow’s Emirates Arena for the weekend event. But the tournament was scrapped over claims that a gun was in the arena on Saturday.
Organiser Steve Sharkey said in a statement: “Police attended the arena with reports of a firearm within the building at 1.04pm with police within the building confirming this.
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“We collectively agreed to evacuate the building having announced the closure of the tournament. We can’t apologise enough. We have never experienced anything like this and needed to take professional guidance with the alarming situation.”
Video footage shows the event MC taking to the stage to break the news of the cancellation, leading to shocked responses from the crowd. Contestants, fans and clubs were unhappy at the sudden announcement. It was claimed that some clubs had forked out up to £16,000 pounds on flights and accommodation to be represented at the event.
Hundreds of fans also paid £65 a ticket to attend while pay-per-view TV access also cost £24.99 for the three days. Bluevale Community Club from Glasgow wrote on their official Facebook page yesterday: “Sad for the parents and family members who bought tickets and for the clubs who travelled from all over the world to compete in the event.”
A police spokesman said: “Officers received a report of a firearm at the Emirates Arena, London Road, Glasgow. Uniformed officers attended and searched the area however there was no firearm recovered.
“Following discussion with organisers and security, police monitored the cancellation of the event from a distance. Inquiries are ongoing.”
Police sources said the organiser cancelled the event.
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