Boxing
Jamel Herring title defense canceled after champion again tests positive for COVID-19
Jamel Herring's WBO junior lightweight title defense against Jonathan Oquendo was scrapped Monday after Herring tested positive a second time for COVID-19, promoter Top Rank announced.
Herring said in a statement that he first tested positive on June 22 after exhibiting symptoms and then tested negative on July 3.Â
"This result (on Monday) is a complete surprise," Herring said. "I was fully prepared to make my second title defense (Tuesday) night. I am hoping that my team and Top Rank can reschedule this fight soon."
Top Rank did not say whether the fight would be rescheduled.
Herring-Oquendo had been billed as the main event of Top Rank's ESPN card Tuesday from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Top Rank elevated the women's junior lightweight bout between Mikaela Mayer and Helen Joseph to the headliner spot.
Top Rank also canceled a preliminary bout between featherweights Luis Melendez and Eddie Vazquez following a positive test result for Melendez. The revised card after the cancellations:
- Mikaela Mayer vs. Helen Joseph; junior lightweights.
- Clay Collard vs. Lorawnt-T Nelson; middleweights.
- Ruben Cervera vs. Clay Burns; lightweights.
- Javier Martinez vs. Jonathan Burrs; middleweights.
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