Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Mikkel LesPierre’s manager tested negative upon arrival, then positive on a retest.
While the UFC has been rather fortunate to only have two preliminary card fights cancelled due to COVID-19 since it resumed its schedule last month, it’s been a different story for Top Rank Boxing.
Having just returned to action last week, Top Rank has lost a third bout to the coronavirus. Thursday morning, the promotion confirmed that the ESPN televised main event between former world champion Jose Pedraza and Mikkel LesPierre is now off after LesPierre’s manager tested positive for COVID-19.
LesPierre issued a statement through the Top Rank press release:
“My manager, Josie Taveras, tested positive for COVID-19. Due to the rules and regulations set forth by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, I will be unable to fight tonight as scheduled against Jose Pedraza. I understand the severity of COVID-19 because I have been working on the front lines of helping treat this virus at Mount Sinai Beth Israel—Petrie Division in Manhattan.
“I am devastated. This was my opportunity to showcase my talent to the world, but everything happens for a reason. This is just another roadblock in my story.
“I apologize to Jose and his team for any inconvenience this caused. He is a great boxer, and I hope we can reschedule the fight as soon as possible.”
Taveras actually tested negative when he entered Top Rank’s “bubble” in Las Vegas on June 14th. However, everyone gets tested again on weigh-in day and the second test came back positive. Taveras is obviously in LesPierre’s camp and because he was in close contact with Mikkel, Top Rank and Nevada Athletic Commission protocols says that the fight is off.
Top Rank’s first card under the “COVID-19 pandemic era” was June 9th, and that event lost its co-main event when Mikaela Mayer tested positive for COVID-19. However, she tested negative on a retest afterward, but Top Rank does not allow for retests after a positive result. Chris Zavala was also supposed to be on this past Tuesday’s show but he was symptomatic and his positive test forced him off the card.
It looks as if Mayer’s fight with Helen Joseph and Pedraza vs. LesPierre will be moved to July 14th.
Tonight’s event will still proceed as scheduled, with prospect Gabriel Flores Jr taking on Josec Ruiz in the new headliner. UFC veteran Clay Collard will also be featured against unbeaten prospect Clay Collard.